The Alpha Wants Everything Book 1 The King's Queen

Saturday morning came too fast, they spent another sleepless night wrapped in each other’s arms. When the inevitable knock came to the door, Kane groaned. Dax was curled on his chest with her white hair cascading down his arm and hanging in her face, brushing it behind her ear, her brow furrowed a little as she started to stir. The knock came again, louder this time, that wasn’t the doctor.

“What?” He croaked out, his voice hoarse.

“It’s almost time, we have two hours before we are due at the airport” Johnny called back.

“I’ll be ready!” He called back, she grumbled into his chest about being too loud “I’m sorry little mouse, but it’s almost time to go” he heard her take a shaky breath, before she lifted her head to look at him. The look on her face was enough to make him stay, she didn’t want him to leave even if what he was doing was for her, but he needed to do this, Ky needed it as much as him.

“I know,” she whispered, sitting up, holding the blanket to herself. They dressed and she finished in the bathroom in time for the doctor to knock on the door.

“How are we today?” He asked when Kane let him in the room. He stood on the other side keeping a safe distance from her. What exactly did she do? Ky was in his head as a grin spread across Kane’s face. He crossed the room to help her onto the bed so the doctor could take a look at her. He untied the back of the gown and turned her around so she faced him.

“What did you do?” He asked her, she pressed her lips together and wouldn’t meet his gaze.

“You tell me, or the doctor will either way I will find out” she plastered the sweetest smile she could muster on her face before she looked at him.

“Sweet and innocent does not work on me, especially when I know you’re guilty of something” Kane whispered.

“She threw two bed pans at me, before her guard took the third from her” Kane’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

“I didn’t hit him” she looked up at him

“She would have if her eyesight was clear in her left eye” the doctor stated “You should be proud, she has good aim, instead of releasing her for the night, I will discharge her, on the grounds that she shows up every day for an exam.”

“Super proud!” Kane replied, but she could hear the note of sarcasm in his voice. “Finish the exam and we’ll get out of here” he continued to stare down at her, his eyes darkening as he spoke. Uh oh! She swallowed hard as she looked away from his gaze.

Kane was quiet the whole time the doctor performed the exam, he was quiet the whole time they packed up her things, he was quiet the whole walk back to their room. He closed the door behind him, and he rolled his shoulders straightening to his full height. She has watched him do this when he has to talk to Charles, it’s his big big mad stance. Quick apologize! Her subconscious blurted. Before she could even get a word out, he crossed the room and crashed his mouth onto hers. Lifting her to his waist he slipped her panties off before he wrapped her legs around him. His kiss was hard and demanding, he moved down her jaw to her neck, the smack to her bare bottom was quick, a gasp escaped her as she stared at him wide eyed. His black orbs stared back at her.

“You were kicked out of the medical ward” He untied the hospital gown before he pinned her to the wall.

“Di-did you just spank me?” She was stunned, he massaged the cheek he smacked.

“What did I say about behaving?” The next smack was sharper: a small involuntary moan escaped the back of her throat, a smile played at his lips as he discarded the hospital gown. He pushed against her, he was hard and ready.

“Now you’ll deal with the consequences” he growled and smacked her bottom again, her lips twitched and using her legs she pressed into him. Losing his shirt and his pants in one swift move he brought them into the bathroom and kicked the door closed.

Kane packed a small bag, two changes of clothes and a few toiletries that was it. He wasn’t planning on being there that long. Get there, kill him and get back home, all in one night that was the plan, sadly Kenneth’s brother in law was an idiot and booked them on a flight out at 3 pm Sunday afternoon. He would get back to the pack house around 5, family dinner was at 5:30 and who knows when that would end. He would have no time with her. Dax was wearing one of his t-shirts and a pair of leggings and sitting on their bed watching him pack. With the last items put in his bag he zipped it shut and looked at her.

“It’s time” she nodded her head and moved to get off the bed, he pulled her into his arms. Kissing her passionately

“I love you” he whispered against her lips,

“I love you too,” she whispered back. He set her on the floor and entwined their fingers as they walked downstairs where Johnny and Lacey were standing.

“When I get back tomorrow, you can yell at me to your little heart’s content sweetheart” they overheard him saying to her.

“You were supposed to come back tonight” Lacey was already yelling at him, hell she was borderline hysterical.

“I’m sorry, Kenneth’s brother in law is an idiot” Johnny apologized,

“How am I supposed to sleep without you?” Lacey cried, Dax’s heart broke for her friend, she really didn’t like being without Johnny.

“Maybe Johnny should stay here” She whispered to Kane as they watched the scene unfold before them.

“He wouldn’t even if I ordered him to. You’re his Luna, this is something he needs to do.” Kane whispered in her ear. “Lacey will be ok” Kane knew that Lacey would be ok, she was just being dramatic, though this seemed to be over the top he just wasn’t sure why, maybe because she was pregnant. They continued down the stairs and headed towards the front door, Johnny and Lacey followed.

Kenneth and Marco met them at the SUV, with Damon and Carter. Charles approached, glaring at Damon, who’s lip curled at the sight of him.

“Damon don’t start anything” Kane ordered, Damon put his hands up and walked away a little bit.

“Your flight leaves tonight at 8 pm” Kane turned and addressed Charles “We will discuss what you will be doing there tonight when you get in”

“Yes Alpha!” Charles bowed, took his plane tickets and shoulder checked Damon as he walked past him.

“DAMON!” Kane yelled when he went to retaliate.

“WHAT?” Damon’s black eyes snapped to Kane “That bitch boy is asking for it”

“What are you supposed to be doing?” Kane asked him,

“Keeping feisty pants out of trouble” He replied with a huff,

“No, you can not lock her in the room or chain her to the bed”

“Whatever, thought didn’t even cross my mind, we’ll just chill and watch movies or whatever in the medical ward” Damon said with a grin,

“She was kicked out of the medical ward” Kane looked at her, she bit back a smile and looked at the ground.

“You got kicked out!” Johnny laughed “What did you do darling?” She looked at Carter, who was trying to hide his grin.

“She threw bed pans at the doctor” Kane answered for her,

“He was taking too long and I was hungry” she defended herself, they tried to stifle their laughter but it got the better of them.

“Let that be a warning Damon, don’t starve her” Johnny howled.

“We have to go,” Kenneth said. They threw their bags in the back of the SUV, Johnny said one last goodbye to Lacey before he climbed in. Kane pulled Dax into his arms.

“Behave yourself, and don’t kill Squeaky” Kane whispered into her ear.

“Ok!” He reached into his wallet and gave her his credit card, she hesitated in taking it biting the inside of her cheek but eventually accepted it.

“Just in case. I will see you on Sunday” He said looking into her eyes.

“You better” he kissed her one last time before he climbed into the SUV and closed the door.

“What are the chances of her behaving?” Johnny asked, sitting beside him in the back seat. Kane smiled.

“If the house is still standing when we get back, I’ll classify that as behaving” he replied, looking at her through the window, he saw her fighting to control her emotions, as she looked down at the black plastic in her hands.

Dax didn’t look up until the SUV started to pull away. She gave a small wave and they watched as it drove out of sight. Lacey let out an over the top deep heavy sigh followed by a slight whimper. Damon curled his top lip in her direction, he shook his head slightly and chose to ignore her. Dax looked at Lacey, she really did feel bad. She needed to do something to help her friend take her mind off Johnny being away. Studying her for a minute, she looked tired, her eyes were puffy from her tears, and she was sure the pregnancy was making her crazy. She needed a spa day and girl talk, movies, junk food, painted nails and mud masks. Dax had none of that….yet! She looked down at the card in her hands, Kane said just in case. This seemed like a just in case moment.

“What does Johnny smell like?” She asked Lacey out of the blue

“Salted caramel and chocolate,” Lacey said glumly. Dax nodded the wheels in her head turning.

“Why don’t you go have a nap, you look tired?” Lacey sighed deeply again and turned towards the house. Too fucking easy! She thought as she fought the smile that threatened to slip. When Lacey saw Kane give Dax his card, she saw the opportunity to get the royal treatment and she took it. Playing on the little imps guilt over the situation she knew Dax would do something to make her better. And knowing that Damon was in charge of babysitting her it was an opportunity too tempting to pass up.

Dax stood there for a moment watching her friend disappear inside then turned and moved towards the garage, she had a mission. This was all her fault and she was going to make it better.

“Uh, where you going?” Damon asked, catching up to her.

“I need to go out, I will be a couple hours” She replied still moving,

“Uh, fuck no!” Damon stood in front of her,

“What do you mean fuck no?” Dax looked at him stopping in her tracks.

“You heard Kane, I’m suppose to keep you out of trouble” He said,

“I’m not going to cause trouble, I just need to go out for a bit” She huffed at him “Now move”

“Then where are you going?” He asked again, moving to stand in front of her again when she tried to go around him.

“I don’t see how that is any of your business” she said,

“Well if you don’t tell me then I am going to assume it’s to cause trouble which is my business and in that case you’re not going” He huffed back. She muttered a string of curses under her breath and glared at him.

“Lacey is upset” She said to him,

“She’ll fucking get over it” Damon fired back, he could give a flying fuck that Lacey was upset. Hell, he hoped she stayed in her fucking room the whole time Johnny was gone. He didn’t want to have to deal with her.

“It’s my fault so I wanted to do something to make her feel better. I need to go pick some things up” She finally answered. So much for that hope! Damon grimaced internally.

“Well, you’re not going alone, come on Carter we’re going shopping” Damon called over his shoulder.

“Oh for fuck….” she let out another string of curses.

“Anyone ever tell you, you gotta mouth on you?” Damon asked grinning,

“I’ve been told I could make sailors blush on several occasions” She replied “I need a car and I’m driving”

’I know a truck we can use,” a sly grin spread across his face as they made their way to the garage.

The taillights of a red Ford F-150 Raptor super cab lit up. She climbed in the driver seat, muttering about tall people and having to adjust the seats all the time.

“I’m surprised you can even reach the pedals with the seat pulled up,” Damon said, getting in the passenger seat and handing her the keys. Looking over his shoulder at Carter in the back laughing, confusion crossed his face as to why he was not sitting up front with her.

“I already got a front row seat to her driving, I don’t want to see it again” He explained without being asked. Damon cracked up laughing.

“It wasn’t that bad Carter” she glared at him in the rear view mirror

“It wasn’t that good either” he countered. She shook her head, flipped the visor down and then put it back up.

“Damon! Is this Charles’s truck?” She asked, giving him a sideways glance.

“I can neither confirm nor deny that it might be his truck” he responded putting his seatbelt on.

“This is not keeping me out of trouble, Squeaky” Dax said,

“I don’t know what the guy’s fucking problem is” Damon shrugged “I never did anything to him, it was one time and she wasn’t his mate yet”

“Maybe it’s because she eyeball fucks you everytime she sees you” Dax looked at him. “That’s what Johnny was going to say in the office right? Might have sucked for you, but I guess you rocked her world and poor Charles doesn’t quite measure up” Carter’s jaw dropped, he couldn’t believe she just said that, even Damon looked at her wide eyed

“He must be so proud!” Damon laughed,

“Super proud!” She started the truck, backed out, threw it in drive and hit the gas.

Hitting the garage button they exited seconds after the door was fully open.

“Hey! Slow down for a second” Damon told her. He rolled the window down when he saw Charles.

“Hey Charles!” Catching his attention, the look of shock on his face as he saw his truck skid across the driveway “FUCK YOU!!”

“Drive it like you stole it feisty pants” she stomped the gas spinning the tires and they took off down the driveway, with Charles screaming something they couldn’t hear running behind them, while other pack members stood there laughing. She didn’t slow down when they hit the turn for the highway

“Hang on Carter!” As the back end swung out, they sped off down the highway towards town.

“Let’s see what kind of music Charles listens to” Damon switched on the radio, and instead of music they heard some boring monotone voice

“You are a dominant male”

“You have power”

“You have status”

“What the fuck is this?” Damon said, ejecting the CD.

“I think it’s a self help CD, I guess he needs reminding that he is a dominant male” Carter said from the back seat, causing them to laugh.

“Holy fuck! What’s on your playlist Carter?” Damon asked, holding out his hand for his phone.

“No clue Brandon keeps switching the music on there,” Carter replied, giving it to him. Damon paired it to the truck’s stereo and Imagine Dragons Whatever It Takes came on.

“Nice!” Damon cranked it moving along to the music as they sped down the highway.

“Oh shit! You better slow down” came Carter’s warning from the back seat as he pointed out a midnight blue SUV a couple car lengths ahead of them.

“No, you don’t think that’s them do you?” She said,

“They weren’t that far ahead of us,” Damon said looking at her.

Dax bit her lip, would he really be mad that she wasn’t at the pack house, she had a good excuse for leaving. And he didn’t tell you to stay put, just behave! True! He gave you his card….again! True! How are you supposed to use it if you don’t leave the house? Again this is very true! You stole a truck….again! True! This is for your friend! For Lacey!

“Luna?” Carter asked from the back seat. “What are we gonna do?”

“Luna?” She didn’t realize it but her foot was easing off the pedal and they were starting to slow down. Do you feel guilty? No! A smile tugged at her lips. Then punch it! She pressed harder onto the pedal and the truck sped up again, gaining speed.

“We’re committed Carter! It’s for Lacey!” She said, smiling at him through the rear view mirror. Though he smiled back at her, internally he was cringing, he didn’t know what his Luna was planning but he knew Lacey didn’t deserve any of it. Lacey didn’t deserve even half the effort his Luna had already put in.

“C’è un camion rosso che sta arrivando veloce (There is a red truck that is coming fast)” Marco said from the driver’s seat.

“Why are they in such a hurry?” Kenneth asked, checking the mirror Johnny looked out the back windshield, he recognized that truck.

“What the fuck? That’s Charles’s truck,” He said looking back at Kane. He had a big grin on his face. “What’s so funny?”

“Tell me if the driver is a white haired little mouse” He said Johnny nodded but raised a questioning eyebrow.

“I told her to behave, not stay put. She has my card and a sad friend at home. When it comes to the people she holds closest I have noticed her loyalty does not have a limit or a boundary. I did however expect her to take longer than this. See if you can keep up with them Marco” Kane answered Johnny’s unasked question.

“Sì, sir” Marco watched them closely in the mirrors, they were gaining fast.

“So she stole Charles’s truck because Lacey is sad?” Johnny laughed,

“No Damon stole Charles’s truck and let her drive, because….he’s Damon, I doubt she has any idea who’s truck it is,” Kane said grinning. “She feels she is at fault, and thought you should stay home to be with Lacey.”

“We both know that wasn’t going to fucking happen” Johnny said,

“She doesn’t like to see people suffer,” Kane said,

“She told Marco to bring his mate back with him, and Charles to pack his mate” Kenneth commented “Now Lacey is going to miss Johnny, and it will affect Johnny because his mate is upset” he added,

“And she will behave, knowing Damon getting the third in command position rides on it” Johnny added “And she found you someone to scare, after she saw how stressed those photos made you. Put Kenneth in time out after his brother pissed him off”

“Told Charles he was insecure and to grow the fuck up over his trust issues with Damon but was also quick to point out those issues might be with his mate and not Damon” Kane said

“Difeso Carter sopra lo yogurt (Defended Carter over the yogurt)” Marco put in.

“English Marco!” Kenneth snapped at him

“Vaffanculo, idiota! (Fuck you, you idiot!)” Marco huffed back,

“When did she tell Charles he was being insecure?” Johnny asked shocked,

“After she sent you and Damon to get ice” Kane replied.

Dax flew past them and they could see Damon in the front passenger seat dancing. Marco sped up to catch up to them, a smile tugged at his lips. He never gets to drive this fast in New York.

“She must have the pedal pinned” Kenneth said as he watched the speedometer climb higher with the more speed they gained.

“Remind me to ask her where she got her licence from” Kane asked as he pulled out his phone and called Damon. He was not going to risk calling her at the speed she was going.

“Kane, fancy hearing from you” Damon drawled into the phone as he turned the music down.

“How are things going?” Kane asked, as Marco did his best to catch up to them.

“What? Gone maybe 30 minutes and you’re already checking in to see how much trouble she’s getting into. If I didn’t know any better brother, you have trust issues” Damon laughed. He could hear Kane laughing on the other end of the phone.

“Not at all….brother, I was just wondering why Charles’s truck is flying down the highway without Charles behind the wheel” there was silence on the other end.

“Tell the speed demon behind the wheel to slow down” the truck slowed down enough for Marco to catch up to it. Damon put the phone on speaker.

“Hello!” He could hear the laughter in her voice.

“What are you doing?” He asked,

“I have a mission” She replied,

“Oh! And what’s that?” Kane asked,

“Girls day supply run, I’m gonna spoil Lacey, she’s not allergic to anything is she?” She had to ask,

“No!” She could hear Johnny talking in the background.

“What is he saying?” She asked,

“Lacey likes chocolate covered strawberries” Kane repeated what Johnny said.

“Hey we’re gonna miss our turn off” Damon cut in,

“I see it, stop side seat driving”

“You can’t take the turn this fast”

“Stop being a baby, I don’t hear Carter bitching”

“He’s too busy praying to the Goddess you don’t kill us, slow down!” Kane started laughing, the more those two were together the more they sounded like siblings.

“That’s it I’m driving on the way back, Kane ground her”

“Baby, be careful!” Kane said,

“You too!” She replied back.

He disconnected the call and watched her make the turn into town. He shook his head when the back end of the truck swung out.

“She’s going to spoil Lacey with a girls day” Kane told Johnny.

Dax slowed down as they entered the town, and her first stop was Lydia’s. She had all the best bath and beauty products and with any luck, she would still have salted caramel and chocolate candles. If not a stop at the warehouse where she would have to make one. She pulled up in front of the little shop, as she was exiting the truck a feeling came over her. She had felt it before, the day of the carnival in the truck with Kane. Take Damon! A familiar voice. Second chances are not often awarded, but loyalty should be rewarded! Only for those that have a heart so true, his second chance is overdue! The voice whispered. She listened to it the first time, and things turned out good.

“Come on Damon!” She called over her shoulder, Damon looked at Carter and he just shrugged.

“What do you need me in that store for?” Damon asked,

“You’re supposed to be keeping me out of trouble, I go in alone, what’s stopping me from going in the front and exiting out the back and leaving you both here?” She smiled at him,

“Alright let’s go” She turned and walked towards the door. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but when she opened the door Damon’s head snapped in the direction, his eyes darkened and he moved inside almost like he was being pulled by an invisible force. She walked in just in time, to hear Damon claim “MINE” and kiss Lydia. Carter walked in right behind her and smiled but had to bite back his laugh.

“And here dies the legend that was Damon” She nodded, but a smile spread across her lips. Something told her this was important.

“Come on Carter, let’s give them a minute” they moved around the store and she looked at a few of the products smelling them. She picked a few mud masks and nail polish colours. They were standing in front of the candles, when Lydia finally joined them. Her face was flushed red, and her eyes wouldn’t stop drifting to Damon.

“Lydia, do you have any more salted caramel chocolate candles?” Dax asked, drawing her attention.

“Um….no I don’t, sorry. They are usually the first ones to go” Lydia looked at her apologetically. Dax pursed her lips, she’ll have to take a side trip to the warehouse before they continue their shopping trip. Fuck! That was the last place she wanted to go, anxiety started to build inside of her. Everything that happened there, started playing on a loop in her mind, she had to force herself to push it out and fought a shudder that threatened her.

“Ok, thank you! What’s a hask?” She asked looking at it

“It’s a mask for your hair” Lydia replied all business again, but her eyes would wander. Dax looked over her shoulder a couple times and Damon had not taken his eyes off her.

“Lavender relaxes right?”

“Yes” Dax picked up a lavender honey hair mask. She walked up to the till with her purchases and put them on the counter.

“What else would you recommend for a girls night, spa thing?” Dax asked, Lydia moved around the store and picked a few other things and brought them back to the counter and showed them to her. This was all new to her, so she asked a million questions, but bought everything she and Lydia both picked. As she was leaving the store she looked over her shoulder.

“Be ready at 6 for girls night, we’ll be back to pick you up. I’m sure you and Damon have more to….discuss” Lydia’s face lit up as she looked from her future Luna to her mate. They exited the store and before Damon could even ask her, she turned to him.

“I don’t know! But it was important that you needed to go in” She said and got back in the truck.

Next stop was the warehouse, she had a candle to make. The closer they got the harder her heart beat, she was sure the boys could hear it, but neither of them said anything. Even after Carter did a search around the perimeter, she hesitated at the door. For three years this was her home, her refuge and now it felt terrifying, menacing, what she once looked upon as her safe haven was now a huge dark building that held monsters and demons. He took it away from her like he had taken everything from her. Carter and Damon watched her struggle, knowing there was nothing they could really do to ease her suffering or her pain, only Kane could but he was not here.

“We can figure something else out” Damon said, about to usher her away.

“No, I just need a minute” she took a deep breath and then another. This was for Lacey, suck it up and get over it! She scolded herself. With shaking hands she unlocked the door and opened it. The whispers, the words, her demons came screaming at her. She had ignored them and left them alone for so long, they were furious. The door slipped from her fingers banging shut, causing her to flinch at the sound.

“Fuck!” She whispered. Get over it, this is for Lacey! She silently whispered this to herself over and over again. Stomp it down! Stomp it down! Don’t think! Don’t think! Be quick! Be quick! She knew where everything was. Mapping it out in her mind she could get in, get the candle made and get out. One more deep breath, she pulled the door open and moved quickly inside. She kept her head down and turned away from the door in the back. She focused on the task, one goal in mind, one thought. Focus on Lacey! Grabbing everything she needed she set about the task of making the candle for her friend. She would figure out how to get it to set after she got the hell out of the warehouse with it. Melting the wax on the stove in the break room with a double boiler, she added her scents and the colour. She knew Lacey liked yellow, but Johnny’s favourite colour was surprisingly pink. And this candle was supposed to help her feel like Johnny was with her, so it had to be pink. She moved to her computer and designed a label for the jar and quickly printed it off. She did not want to give herself any time to think, she needed to keep moving.

Damon and Carter watched her move through the warehouse, they didn’t dare interrupt her or interfere. A concerned look would pass between them, but they still said nothing. Carefully setting the wick in the bottom of the candle jar she slowly poured the melted wax around it. Her hands shook towards the end, as her demons were breaking down her barriers and getting through to her. The whispers swirled around her, crashing into her. NO! Don’t let them in! She fought against them with everything she had, but she felt her facade cracking. Keep going! Little farther! Her subconscious acting like her personal cheerleader. She kept throwing herself forward, her breath quickened her heart hammered in her chest, she kept pushing herself. One thought, hold onto that thought! For Lacey….weak pathetic little girl, think you can be rid of me! You will never be rid of me, I will always be with you!

With her fear spiking, he couldn’t take it anymore, Damon walked into the break room, took a hold of her and led her out of the warehouse. She was one of the strongest people he has ever met, but she had a breaking point and she was rapidly reaching it. He found himself in awe of her, she has suffered like no other and because of that she refuses to let anyone else suffer, no matter the pain it would cause her. To him she wasn’t just his future Luna, she felt like his family, she was his little sister and right now she needed him. When they stepped outside he pulled her into a hug, she clutched his shirt holding tight to the security that she felt. Kane would probably kill him if he ever found out, but that was a price he would risk. Lacey better fucking appreciate this! He thought. He’d be pissed if she didn’t. Titan was in full agreement on this. She was his sister too and he despised Lacey.

“We’ll come back for it” he held her tight, she just nodded her head, pushing her monster to the back of her mind. He kissed the top of her head like Kane does, but it didn’t feel the same, it felt brotherly, that really confused her. Why does he feel like a brother? Beats me, but you felt it before! The day I met him! He felt familiar! She had no time right now to dwell on this, she would think about it later.

“Where to now?” He opened the driver’s door for her.

“The grocery store, we need junk food and strawberries” She said,

“Strawberries are not junk food” Damon argued,

“They are when you cover them in chocolate” she countered, a smile crossed his face as he let out a laugh. Yup he would be big time mad if Lacey didn’t appreciate this. Carter looked at him with his eyebrow arched.

“Don’t tell me you don’t feel it every time you look at her, she’s not just my Luna” Damon started before getting in the truck.

“She’s my little sister” Carter finished for him, Damon just nodded.

****

No! It can’t be! He saw the blood, he saw it. There was no way she could have survived that, but here she was. His angel came back to him. He was about to get in his car and head home after a quick trip to the grocery store, when a feeling washed over him and movement caught his eye. There she was two car lengths away from him. She was more beautiful now than she was before. He took in all her perfectly sculpted features. There was no one else in this world like her. Two were with her scanning the parking lot for potential dangers. The tall one had placed security on her for which he was thankful. She would stay safe until he could deal with things. They lied to him, rage burned through him when he came to this realization. They lied to him, they told him she was dead. White told him it was an accident, the idiot cut too deep, she wasn’t supposed to die. Carl wanted to kill her when he got out. Of course he agreed, but he had other plans, Carl would not be touching her. Carl would never make it to the town, he has every intention of ending Carl’s life on the ride in. Then he’ll kill White and then Magnus. He’ll kill Erin for what she did to him, that will be his own personal vengeance, the rest is for his angel.

He watched her pass her hand over the back of her neck, she looked around the parking lot, she could feel him, sense him watching her. She was looking for him, she always did, though he saw fear on her face he knew it couldn’t be directed at him. It was at whoever did that to her. He took in her injuries, the cast around her wrist, the bandage on her other hand. The damage to her beautiful face, oh he would make them pay alright, he would make them pay dearly. He would make them beg for their lives just to take it from them anyway. They will scream and they will bleed. The taller of the two that were with her said something and the grin that lit up her face took his breath away. She would never not be beautiful to him. His blood may be boiling with anger, but his heart sang with happiness.

****

After pulling into the parking lot of the grocery store she got an overwhelming feeling of being watched, the hair on the back of her neck standing to attention and a cold feeling embedded itself deep inside of her. It’s nothing! I’m not so sure! Checking around the parking lot she couldn’t see anyone, but it didn’t mean there wasn’t someone there. Two big werewolves, no one’s gonna touch you! Unless you starve them, then they might eat you! Shut up, not helping! Ok, you’re right they won’t eat you. You’re barely a snack! Still not helping! They headed off into the grocery store with Damon telling them to hurry up. He had a mate to collect and he was a little excited. They filled up a cart with as much junk as they could and strawberries, then went to their last stop, Glenda’s Diner. Dax had called ahead and asked for some things and to raid her dessert display. Just before they entered she realized Glenda hasn’t seen her since the day of the attack, she’s gonna flip her stack.

She opened the door and walked in, the whole diner growing quiet as they looked at her. Carter and Damon used their bodies to shield her from the prying eyes as much as possible.

“Mind your own” Glenda called out as she made her way over to Dax. Glenda wasn’t much of a hugger but upon seeing Dax she had to give her one. She has been worried about her. Damon was about to step in when Carter put his hand on his chest and shook his head.

“Oh honey! Look at you, I hope whoever did this met a grisly end” She glanced at Carter then looked away. She ushered them all to the counter and filled up their coffee cups.

“Murray is just working on the last of your order honey, go pick the desserts you need out of the display and then go back and see him” Dax smiled and walked over to the dessert display “And do not sample the chocolate frosting off that cake”

Damon and Carter sat at the counter and watched as she pulled four dessert items from the display and with a check over her shoulder to make sure Glenda wasn’t looking she did take a spoon and sampled the frosting off the cake. Damon cracked a grin.

“She’s been doing that for two years now, she doesn’t think I know, but I do” Glenda had her back to Dax as she spoke, the adoration Damon heard in the woman’s voice started forming a picture in his mind.

“You don’t have kids” He stated looking at her,

“Well aren’t you direct, no we don’t. Never happened for us, so when we saw that little girl, we took our shot. You don’t have a sister, either one of you” Glenda fired back with her own direct statement. “Her man gave her bodyguards, but the way you all act around her, you became her brothers, you’re all over protective and overly involved, even for your kind” they both looked at her. “So I don’t even have to mention that the one she’s doing this for, better appreciate it and show some damn gratitude or hell will break loose”

“Don’t look shocked boys, Murray sniffed you all out the second your foot hit the diner entrance and with the amount of protection on that girl I would say her man is a rank and I’m thinking the tippy top.” They looked to the kitchen and saw glowing amber eyes stare back at them. He bowed his head in respect and moved back into the kitchen. Damon got up from his spot, and walked towards the entrance, he watched the way Murray cupped her cheek, much like a father would. The pride he saw in the old wolf’s eyes was undeniable. The picture in his mind was becoming clearer to him. She had a family, and she built it herself, whether she knew it or not, she attracted people to her, but it only seemed to be a certain type. Ones that seemed to be missing something in their life. Carter was right when he said, she was what they didn’t know was missing.

They said goodbye to Glenda and Murray and it was getting close to 6. They had to pick Lydia up soon, but they had to make a detour back to the warehouse, to grab the candle she made. She pulled into the back and was about to unbuckle when Carter said he would run in and grab the candle. She asked if he was sure, he said he was certain. She thanked him and Damon and her sat in the truck and waited for Carter to return.

“My family life sucked, my mom despised me and my dad always seemed disappointed in me. But if I had a sister….” He started saying

“I know! I love you too Damon. You can be an asshole, but I am assuming that’s one of the many jobs a brother has” she cut him off. Damon looked at her, he wasn’t sure what to say, no one has ever said they loved him before in any capacity, for any reason. Carter came back to the truck with the candle in hand, when he climbed in he noticed the atmosphere in the cab had changed. She pulled back onto Main Street and they headed back to Lydia’s. She parked out front, so Damon could go inside. She unbuckled her belt and stepped out of the truck onto the sidewalk. She needed some fresh air, Carter joined her, he didn’t like leaving her out in the open unattended. She never seemed put off by his presence even when she needed quiet time to herself. He would be close by not saying anything, just letting her have her moment. They seemed to have an unspoken connection, and an uncanny ability to read each other’s moods. He handed her an apple and she grinned at him. She had been too busy all day to eat and he knew she was getting to her starving point.

“You’re the only one that has never asked what it’s like being gay” She looked at him wide eyed as she bit into her apple, the comment came out of the blue.

“That’s because it’s a dumb question and only idiots ask it” she said “I assume it’s like being straight, with more obstacles. But you still have the same emotions and thoughts as straight people. You still love, hate, hope, dream, fear don’t see how much is actually different. Unless you glow in the dark. Do you glow in the dark?” Dax asked as a smile fell across her face.

“No, I don’t glow in the dark” he laughed “I fucking hate that question though, people find out you’re gay and they think your from Pluto”

“People are stupid! Next time someone asks what it’s like being gay, ask them what it’s like being straight? Then they’ll see how stupid that question actually is” She took another bite of her apple. He grinned at her and they fell into their comfortable silence again. Damon and Lydia came out of her shop, their fingers entwined.

“Let’s go lover boy, get your ass in the truck or you’re walking home” Dax called over to him. Damon laughed moving them towards the truck, he opened the back door for Lydia to climb in and got in behind her.

“Sorry little man, but I’m sitting in the back” He said to Carter.

“Do you want to drive Carter?” Dax asked,

“Can I?” She laughed at how fast Carter jumped at the chance and moved from the passenger side.

“Thank fucking Goddess” Damon called from the back, causing Carter to laugh as he adjusted the driver’s seat before he could climb in.

“Shut up Squeaky!” She said opening the door.

A cold feeling passed over her as she was about to get in she shivered, feeling a presence behind her, she looked over her shoulder. Mrs. Morganson was standing there, a scowl of disapproval on her face. Dax moved away from the truck to stand on the sidewalk. A sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach told her this might have been a mistake.

“You must be pleased with yourself” She hissed at Dax,

“Excuse me!” She had no idea what the woman was talking about.

“Don’t play dumb and innocent with me” she snapped,

“I don’t know what you’re talking about” the anger coming off her was making Dax uncomfortable, she could feel her heart beating a little faster, her fear starting to rise and she started to back away.

“Your last boy toy, talked my husband out of giving the store to his son, the damn fool signed it over to him instead” Mrs. Morganson seethed,

“My last boy toy? Signed what store over to who?” She was really confused “I’m sorry Mrs. Morganson, but I don’t understand”

“You stupid little bitch” the name caused Dax to flinch, she could feel her nightmare stirring in the back of her mind.

“The last man you were screwing, Mr. McKenna convinced my idiot husband to sell the store to him” She all but snarled at her.

“Mr. Morganson sold the store. I didn’t know, I’m sor-“ before Dax could get the rest of what she was saying out she was struck across the left side of the cheek. Her face contorted at the explosion of white hot burning pain it caused, making her stumble back and gasp for a breath. Her vision blurred even more in her left eye and she could feel the skin growing darker than it already was, as the pain pulsed deep in her cheek.

“You stupid, stupid little girl, how could I ever think you were worthy enough for my Donny. You aren’t worthy of the air you are breathing” Mrs. Morganson grabbed Dax by the upper arm. Her mind was screaming for her to run but her fear had her frozen in place. Mrs. Morganson squeezed tight and Dax was certain she would have bruises. Both Carter and Damon were out of the truck in seconds.

“Take your fucking hands off of her” Damon roared,

“Which boy toy are you?” She spit her venom towards Damon

“I’m her brother, now take your fucking hands off her or else” he warned moving closer to the two women on the sidewalk. Mrs. Morganson widened her eyes at Damon as he fought to control the growl that was wanting to escape; she released Dax’s arm from her iron grip. Marks were already starting to form on the skin where she had grabbed her.

Carter ushered Dax towards the passenger side door in the back that Damon had left open. He helped her in and closed the door behind her. Lydia pulled her into her arms and held her there, being very careful not to touch the left side of her face. Carter moved back beside Damon, both glaring at Mrs. Morganson. She looked between the two men and backed up.

“Don’t you threaten me!” She glared at them,

“I wasn’t, but I am now, touch her again and I will break you in two” Mrs. Morganson’s mouth opened to say something but she closed it quickly. She huffed at both of them and walked quickly down the street glancing back over her shoulder.

“Who the fuck is that bitch?” Damon asked,

“Alpha has had a run in with her a few times, it has ended the same” Carter replied. Damon turned towards the truck, it was time to get back to the pack house. She would be safe there. He moved to get in the front, but she was already sitting in the passenger seat.

“No you get in the back with Lydia” Damon said to her,

“No, you need to sit back there with her. She will calm you down” Dax replied shaking her head, she was fighting to control the emotion in her voice, but Damon could see her bottom lip quiver as she spoke.

“I am not arguing with you….” Damon started,

“Then listen to me. You need to calm down, we are about to go home, and face Charles, we stole his truck and he is going to be pissed about that. Going home in the state you are in right now is just going to end bad for everyone.” She cut him off. He couldn’t argue, she was right. He was pissed off and if Charles got in his face, there is no telling what he would do. Damon released his growl but got in the back.

“When we get to the pack house, Lydia can you please take Damon upstairs to the fifth floor last room at the end of the hallway, get everything set up” Dax asked,

“Yes” Lydia replied,

“Thank you” Dax wiped the tear that rolled down her right cheek, she didn’t dare touch her left side. It was still throbbing from the contact Mrs. Morganson made, and her vision was not just blurry but dark as well. She would make an appointment with the doctor as soon as possible.

Carter started the truck and pulled on to Main Street heading for the highway. He would glance over at her every once in a while. She sat quietly in the front seat looking down at her hands. They were shaking and she was doing everything to keep it under control. To keep everything that was threatening to consume her hidden. Push it down, stomp it down, this night is for Lacey! She told herself over and over.

“I’m fine Carter” he nodded, but he didn’t believe her, none of them did. She continued to suffer while she did everything in her power to make sure no one else would.

Once they got back to the pack house, Damon was back to his usual self, he got out of the back of the truck and helped Lydia out.

“What the fuck Damon?” Charles was right there waiting for them. Before they could even start Dax stepped in between them. She put the keys in Charles’ hand and pushed Damon towards the house after she gave him some bags.

“Thank you for allowing me to use of your truck” She said,

“Uh....you’re welcome Luna!” He said looking down at her. She grabbed some more bags, while Carter and Lydia grabbed the rest.

“You’re due to leave for the airport soon, you better make sure you have everything” She said over her shoulder as she ushered everyone else towards the house. “Have a safe flight”

“Uh….thank you!” Charles was left standing there, with a stunned look on his face.

They headed for the kitchen, and divided the food up between what could go upstairs and what still needed to be prepared. The chocolate, the strawberries, the pudding and the whipping cream stayed downstairs, while Damon and Lydia took the rest upstairs. She put a metal bowl and two egg beaters in the freezer and put the whipping cream in the fridge until she was ready to use it. In a separate bowl she broke apart three milk chocolate chocolate bars and two dark chocolate ones. Washing some strawberries and gently patting them dry, she melted down the chocolate and started the process of dipping them and laying them out on parchment paper so they could set. This would be so much easier if she had the use of both her hands.

“Luna!” Carter was getting concerned,

“I’m fine Carter” she said as she continued to dip the berries.

“You’re not fine” He responded,

“How do you know that?” She asked a little more force in her voice than she intended.

“You haven’t eaten any of the chocolate yet,” he replied, looking at her. She looked down at what she was doing and then up at him. Her hands started to shake.

“I….I….I can’t. I….can’t think about it. This night is about Lacey, she’s more important right now.” She went back to dipping the berries. Just keep moving forward! She told herself. Just push it away, stomp it down! This is not about her, it’s about Lacey, nothing was going to ruin this for her friend. Nothing! Carter was about to say something, when Damon came into the kitchen, he closed his mouth and looked down.

“When are you important?” He asked looking from her to Carter, then back at her. “When do you make yourself a priority? You ran around all day, putting everyone else first. Making sure no one was suffering, so when is it your turn? When do you get to stop?”

“Damon, stop” she shook her head, trying to block out his words.

“No, you stop” he moved towards her and pulled her away from the counter. “Stop doing, stop moving, you want to fight then face it, take 20 fucking minutes to yourself and deal. Lacey can sacrifice 20 fucking minutes of a night she doesn’t even know she’s getting, so you can deal with the shit going on your head” Carter nodded his head. She scowled and clenched her left hand.

“You gonna hit me? Go ahead. Might make you feel better” Damon continued. “That bitch scared you, she made you feel like that little girl again right? You’re the strongest fucking person we have all seen but that scared little girl sits just under the surface.” He pushed her and pushed her, the tears rolled down her cheeks and she fought to control them. He moved towards her again “Stop fighting to control it, let it out, what was it that terrified you?” Her back hit the counter and she gasped at the sudden jolt of pain she felt course through her and she slid to the floor.

“It was him,” She whispered, covering her face. Both Carter and Damon looked at each other, of course it had to be the one thing she couldn’t face, the nightmare in her head. Damon let out a breath, he sat down beside her gathering her in his arms, he held her to his chest, this is the second time today he has hugged her. Carter crouched on the other side of her.

“What was it that made it him?” He asked, she shook her head, Carter looked at Damon who just nodded his head. “Yes, you know what it was, you can still feel it. What was it? You’re safe here, he can’t get you here” Taking her hand in his, giving her strength she looked at him.

“Fear. Crippling fear. A coldness moves through you like ice, your mind is screaming for you to move, to run, but you’re frozen in place. That’s how I felt every time he….he. That’s how I felt tonight” Damon kissed the side of her head, even Carter hugged her.

“Oh my!” They all looked up to see Lydia standing there. Damon smiled up at her.

“Don’t worry baby girl, this is brotherly bonding.” Damon explained,

“Oh!” She got down on the floor and crawled in between Dax and Damon and wrapped her arms around Dax holding her close. Lydia kissed Dax’s head where Damon did and held her tighter. His smile getting bigger, he wrapped his arms around both the girls and Carter.

“Mrs. Morganson’s a stupid bitch and someone should drop a piano on her head” Lydia exclaimed. Dax laughed, nodding her head in agreement.

“I like her,” She told Damon,

“Me too,” Damon agreed, kissing Lydia’s cheek. They sat like that for another 10 minutes before they got up off the floor.

Lydia helped Dax finish in the kitchen with the strawberries, the whipping cream and the pudding as well as defend them from Damon. They brought it upstairs, and Dax went to get Lacey. Looking at everything before him again Damon couldn’t help but think that if Lacey didn’t appreciate this, he was gonna be pissed off. The look on Carter’s face said the same. Damon and Carter grew up with Lacey, she was spoiled, self-centered, and her entitlement was off the charts. She was used to getting everything she wanted from everyone except when she was dealing with Kane. She never got her way with Kane, no one does, that was until Dax. A slight grin crossed his face at that. That must piss her the fuck off to no end. Then again his little sister had a helluva life and she deserved to get whatever she wanted, in his eyes she was entitled to it. Even if what she wanted was to make someone else feel better. Though he still felt this whole night was a big waste of time, Lacey didn’t deserve even close to half the effort Dax put into it.

Dax opened the bedroom door, and carefully guided a blind folded Lacey into the room.

“What is going on?” Lacey was complaining, she was wearing one of Johnny’s shirts and a pair of sleep shorts. Damon shared a look with Carter, they both hoped this didn’t go the way they think it’s gonna go. Dax had to stand on the couch to take the blind fold off of her. She blinked a few times and looked at everything in the room.

“What is going on?” She asked again, a little more shocked.

“Surprise, it’s a girls night spa thing, with Damon and Carter” Dax said from behind her.

“You did this for me, oh my Goddess. Thank you” She squealed with delight as she hugged Dax, squeezing just a little too tightly. Damon had to grab Carter’s arm to stop him from doing something, when Lacey did that. He wasn’t entirely certain her squeezing that tight was an accident though. Lacey was going to need to be watched around Dax.

“Who are you?” Lacey asked when she noticed Lydia standing in the room. She looked her over and fought the urge to curl her lip in disgust at the tall red head. The little imp is making friends! This thought caused a ripple of anger to course through her.

“Lydia this is Lacey, Lacey this is Lydia, Damon’s mate” Dax introduced them, Lacey’s eyes went wide, as she looked between Damon and Lydia. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again when Damon arched an eyebrow. He was daring her to say what she was thinking, whatever facade she had going would be destroyed if she did and he knew that. They would see her for who she really was. They didn’t have the greatest of relationships, to her he was Kane’s asshole friend, and to him she was Kane’s spoiled sister. He called her princess all the time, and to him princess was not a term of endearment.

“Congratulations” she said, putting a sweet smile on her face. It was fake, she knew it was fake, he knew it was fake, but he could pretend for Dax’s benefit, he wasn’t going to do anything to wreck this night for his sister.

“Thank you” Damon responded. Dax didn’t miss the look between the two, they didn’t seem to like each other very much. Hopefully they can put whatever it is between them aside and enjoy the night! She thought.

“Ok let’s get this night started” Dax said. They ate junk food, watched movies, and laughed a lot. They did face and hair masks, Dax unfortunately could not participate in either of those. They painted their nails, even Damon was man enough to get his nails painted.

“You have no shame do you?” Lacey asked him as Dax was putting the finishing touches on her nails.

“Not an ounce” Damon replied “But you got to admit, I’m rocking the pink” He held up his hand and Carter started laughing.

“What about you Carter?” Lydia asked painting Damon’s other hand

“I’m good,” he said, holding his hands up.

“What’s a matter? Don’t you want to look pretty for Brandon?” Damon teased,

“Not all of us can be as pretty as you Damon” he fired back, causing laughter to erupt through the room.

The night was coming to an end, Carter went home to Brandon, and Damon had taken Lydia back to his room saying they had more to discuss. Lacey had called Johnny and she was sitting on the bed in Kane and Dax’s room telling him all about their night. Dax gave them some privacy and took the opportunity to clean up the mess. It had taken several trips up and down the stairs to get it all and she was in the kitchen in the process of cleaning up, again wishing she had the use of both hands. With her mind distracted, the plate holding the strawberries slipped from her hand and smashed to the floor. Her skin prickled as a familiar coldness settled inside her, the hairs on the back of her neck stood. She fought hard to subdue it, push it back, control it. She could hear the voice in the back of her mind coming to life, whispering quietly at first but growing louder. Look at the mess you made now! It was an accident! She dropped to the floor trying to clean it up. You pathetic nobody, that’s all you are….an accident, a giant mistake! No, no I’m not! But you are, you know you are! Always have been, always will be. They’ll soon see it too. Shut up! You’re not here! Oh, but I am! I am everywhere! Shut up, shut up, shut up! He can’t save you this time! She covered her ears and shook her head. Trying to ignore the voice. YOU CAN’T IGNORE ME YOU LITTLE BITCH! I OWN YOU! She gasped at the screaming in her head, backing into the cupboards trying to get away from it. She started shaking, as she gripped tighter to a shard of the plate she had in her hand.