Chapter 10

It was a few days later, and I was getting my ass kicked. Devie wasn't being gentle in her training. In fact, she seemed determined to kick my ass five ways to Sunday.

I laid on the ground staring up at her, panting. She had just tossed me over her shoulder because I had not moved fast enough.

"You need to move faster! Stop overthinking and react. Let your instincts guide you." She demanded. I couldn't help but overthink, I kept having flashbacks of Mother, and though the more I trained, the less I saw her, it still impacted my movements.

She helped me stand back up. I dusted the dirt from my shorts and legs. "Alright, that's it for today." She declared.

"C'mon I can do it right next time. I promise."

She shook her head. "No, you're beat. We will pick up tomorrow."

I growled in self-depreciation. I wanted to get better, not continue failing.

Devie laughed, able to tell from my growl what I was thinking. "You are getting better every day. No one became a good fighter in one day. Give yourself a break. You've never done anything like this in your life. It will take you a little longer than those who have been around this their entire life."

I sighed, "I know. I am impatient. I just want to make Riley and myself proud, and I want to be able to not have to depend on others to always protect me. I want to be able to stand on my own and help."

"You will, girlie. Trust me and trust yourself. It will happen."

I snorted in disbelief. She laughed again as she walked me home. It had been like this the last few days, since Ronnie's death. Each morning Devie came to the house, ate breakfast with us, then took me and a couple guards to the gym to work out, then out back to the ring for some fight training. We always drew a crowd, and people would call out tips and encouragement to try to help me. She then would walk me home before going to wherever she goes in the evening. Riley refused to let me go anywhere with anyone without the bodyguards, including Devie.

It had been grueling but worth it. I could feel my stamina strengthening, and I refused to admit I was getting better at the fighting. I wanted to improve faster, though I knew that was unrealistic. Also, with all of this working out and training, I had lost even more weight. Now I barely even had a belly, and though I still had a butt, it wasn't as big, and it was perky, just like my breasts ended up being. I was thankful that Devie had gotten several different sizes of clothes to fit me. The ones that were now too big for me, I ended up donating to the Packs' small thrift store. Apparently, the Pack had their hands in many things besides just construction.

Riley was at the door waiting for us when we walked up the driveway. He held an arm to me, and I walked into it. He hugged me with the one arm as he talked to Devie about our day.

Riley had been taken the time I was away, training to work from his office. He had missed a lot of days since I had been found and turned. I felt guilty for taking him away for so long, but he didn't seem to be upset. He'd been getting up before daybreak to start catching up and only stopped to fix food for us (when Jaime didn't) and to sleep.

On my to-do list was to learn to cook so I could ease some of the burden from his shoulders. I was starting to accumulate a lot of things on my to-do list. First, I had learning to control my shifting, then learning to fight, learning to cook, and learning to drive.

I was getting better at controlling my shifting. I almost had it down pat, with only a few mishaps here and there. Fighting was coming along but not fast enough for my tastes. The other two, I had not even tried yet. Though I thought of asking Jaime to teach me to cook this weekend since he didn't have to worry about getting up for school.

He says this is his last year in public school. Once he shifts, he will be home schooled, like all the other first shifters. First-time shifters were unpredictable in their shifting for the first few weeks to months. He and everyone else was surprised at how quickly I was learning to control the change. I felt like I was going at a normal pace with it, but they told me I was surpassing most newbies, which I had to ask someone what newbie meant.

We said our goodbyes to Devie and turned to go into the house. He spoke to the guard for a moment before closing the door and pushing me up against it. He leaned his body against mine and kissed me deeply. I wrapped my arms around his neck and moaned into his mouth. Nothing like coming home to a sexy man and being kissed by him, I thought.

Before I knew it, we were both undressed and he was pounding into me. I was past the point of caring if anyone could see us or hear us. I nipped at his lips and met him thrust for thrust. It was over with quickly, but it was just what I needed.

I panted with my head resting on his shoulder while his head rested on top of mine, I could feel his chest heaving for air, just like mine. "I don't know about you, but I needed that." He muttered against my hair. All I could do was grunt in agreement. He reluctantly pulled out and set me on my feet, making sure I could stand on my own before leaning down to pick up our discarded clothes.

He handed me mine, took his, and started getting dressed. I started for the bedroom and the shower.

"Dinner will be ready by the time you’re out." He called after me. I waved in acknowledgment.

My shower was quick but thorough. Once out, I dressed in a nightgown that came to mid-thigh. I didn't plan on going anywhere else that night. I'd been watching TV the last few nights, while Riley worked, and I didn't see those plans changing.

I headed into the kitchen, where Riley was putting our dinner onto plates. "Grab us something to drink?" He asked. I nodded and headed to the fridge for a beer for him and a soda for me. He still hadn't gotten me any wine coolers like he had mentioned, but I wasn't in too much of a hurry to try them.

He had made us huge grilled pork chops, with baked potato, and a salad. It looked and smelled delicious. We talked about our day, and I expressed my frustration with not being a better fighter yet. He just smiled and told me it would happen before I knew it. I frowned at him and stabbed at my salad, not sure I believed him.

"You working tonight?" I asked him. I hoped not, but I expected the answer to be yes.

"Yes, but not for long, I am nearly caught up. So I won't be doing these late nights again, just normal business hours." Now was his turn to frown. I knew he didn't like spending time away from me, that I could feel through our mate bond, and I knew he had to do this, because his father and the Pack depended on the income that the construction business brought.

I nodded as I stood up and started clearing away the dishes. He pulled me onto his lap and nuzzled me. "I promise tonight will be the last." He kissed me then set me on my feet with a smack to my butt before he started helping me clean. He let in a guard as he walked by the door. My favorite, Jasper, was on duty tonight. He and I had become friends, my first beside Devie. He had a weird sense of humor that I didn't always get but liked about him.

I shooed Riley away to his office, telling him that he cooked, I can clean. He didn't put up much of an argument before heading into his office with one last kiss.

When I was done cleaning, which was still soothing to me, I went into the living room and stretched out on the couch to watch one of my favorite channels: The Food Network. Chopped was on, and I loved it, as did Jasper. I admit, I didn't know everything they cooked and the lingo, but it was a lot of fun and made me all the more determined to learn to cook. I wanted to bring tasty dishes to our palates.

It was a couple of episodes later and I was half asleep when I felt someone slide in behind me on the couch. A steel armband went around my waist, and a stubbled chin rubbed against my soft cheek.

"What's my Sunshine, doing?" Riley rumbled.

I yawned, "watching Chopped and falling asleep." I replied, not even remembering there was a guard in the room with us to make me feel embarrassed.

Riley slid out from behind me before picking me up and carrying me to bed. I waved goodnight to Jasper as I snuggled against him while he carried me.

Once in the bedroom, he stripped my gown from me and tucked me into bed. He crawled in once he had undressed as well. We met in the middle and snuggled close as we fell back to sleep.

I woke up before he did, and I took the time to study him. He was such a handsome exotic man, and I was very lucky. His face, normally hard and unyielding, was peaceful and young. He looked younger than normal, which made him look very young.

I cupped his face in my hand and dozed back off to sleep.

I awoke sometime later to a smack on my ass and Riley saying, "Time to get up, Sunshine!"

"Ow!" I exclaimed. I rubbed at my stinging cheek before sitting up. I hopped out of bed and got dressed in the closet. I was heading to the bedroom door when I heard a roar of anger. I ran out into the living room to see Riley holding Jasper by the throat against the wall.

"How did this happen?" He roared, his faces mere inches from Jasper's'.

"All we know is that he checked in and sometime after that he was killed. His throat ripped out." Jasper rasped.

I gasped at the image in my mind of a throat ripped out. Both Riley and Jasper's attention turned towards me. Riley slung Jasper to the ground before coming towards me.

"Oh my God, who was it?" I asked, looking from Riley to Jasper, who was slowly getting to his feet.

"It was Evans, his throat had been torn out, and he bled out before anyone knew. He died." Jasper answered before Riley could. Riley glared at him as if blaming Jasper for Evans' lack of healing ability and lack of tack when talking to me.

Tears welled up and fell down my cheeks. I knew Evans; he was another one of my personal guards and workout partners. He had always been nice and respectful to me. I buried my face in Riley's chest and cried for the loss of life. I could cry for him, but I couldn't cry for Ronnie. I blubbered into Riley's shirt, "Why would someone do this? He hadn't done anything wrong."

This time Riley answered, "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. We think it was your attacker, coming around, testing the security here again. We just don't know if he planned on killing, or if Evans surprised him. Either way, we have to increase security."

I looked up, my eyes red, and nose running. "Do we have enough people to increase security even more? You've already tripled it, right?"

Riley rubbed my back soothingly as he watched Jasper, who was finally on his feet, straighten his clothes. "No, we don't have enough in the Pack to increase even more. We're going to need to call in a couple markers and get some extra eyes and ears here."

I shook my head. "All this for me? Why does this wolf want me so bad? It can't be just because I survived his attack. Can it?"

"Yes, for you. Life mates are very important to us, to all who shift. No one takes it lightly when a life mate is threatened. It could be just that simple that you survived his attack to make him come for you. Some could see it as a weakness that prey was able to get away."

I shuddered at being referred to as prey.

"We may fall in love and marry and be able to even procreate. But life mates are sacred. They happen so few and far between that when they are found, they are as protected as any Alpha. They can bind their life force with their mate so that when one dies, so does the other, and their abilities are equally shared between each other. Her strength and abilities are given to her mate, doubling them. Same with her mate's strength and abilities, she gains his. When one is wounded, they can draw on the healing of their mate and heal even great wounds at a resounding speed." Jasper said.

My brow furrowed. "But I thought that was an automatic thing. Aren't Riley and I already stronger because of our mate bond?"

Riley sighed. "Yes, we are stronger because of the mate bond, and we do have some benefits from it, like the telepathic link. But a shared life force greatly increases everything. From the stories I've been told, the life bond is described as being hit by a train going full force. It's a power kick like you've never known."

"Well, why haven't we life bonded?" I demanded.

"Because I didn't want to force something on you when you were already adjusting to everything else. You're new to living life out in the open and especially new to being a Werewolf. I am not going to ask or have you do something that you fully don't understand."

I was hurt a little. Hurt that he had kept this from me. Hurt that he wouldn't let me make this decision. I didn't want to see from his point of view, I was too hurt to do so.

I frowned, "I think I should be allowed to make that decision. Even if my decision is to wait and think on it. I think I should have been told about this life bond and been able to make a choice."

Riley walked over to the coffee table and grabbed a couple tissues before coming to me and handing them to me. I blushed, knowing I must look a sight. I quickly blew my nose and wiped my face clean.

Riley hugged me to him before he let go and headed to his office. "Jasper, stay here with Poppy while I make some calls." He closed the door on his last word.

I stared wide eyed at the door. Well, how about that? He didn't even dignify me with an answer. I huffed, turned around, and slammed the bedroom door shut behind me. He wants to be an ass, so be it. In fact, I was so perturbed that I even thought the word 'Asshole' quite loudly.

I heard a chuckle before there was the mind equivalent of a door being closed. That just made me more miffed.

I stripped the bed of its covers, tossing them into a pile. I punched and slapped the pillows a few times to try to relieve my aggravation to no avail.

Once I was done abusing the pillows, I gathered the bedclothes and headed out to the washroom. I stopped in my tracks and nearly dropped my armload when I got to the great room and saw that Jasper was no longer alone in the room.

There were three other people in the room with him. One I already knew, Tina, a quiet but intimidating Werewolf. The other two I had never seen before. One was quite short, near my height, and very slender. The other one was huge, close to seven feet and wide with a bald head. Riley sure did work quick, I thought.

I blinked at them as I continued on to the washroom. Once I put everything into the washer, I went back into the living room, intending on heading to Riley's office to ask him what was going on. But I need not, as he was in the living room already talking to the new people quietly. Once he saw me, he smiled and came to me for a quick kiss as if nothing had happened.

"It's all arranged, your guards will double up next shift. Two will remain inside, and two will be outside patrolling around the house. Shifts will be the normal, sporadic eight hours. Where you go, they will go." He smiled proudly at me.

I frowned, I already felt crowded with one bodyguard, and now I was to have four total? I didn't like it. I still wasn't used to people being around me. It made me feel closed in.

"But I don't want four guards. I don't need four guards. What we already have is good enough. I know I need protection right now, but isn't this a bit far?"

Riley started to frown now, "No, it isn't. I told you earlier why we needed to double up, and my mind is made up. You will have four guards until this shit is caught. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. It's final."

He gave a growl and stalked back into his office. I stared after him, not used to him taking that tone with me. I huffed and did my own stalking into the bedroom, closing the door just as hard as he did his.

I put new bedding on the bed, taking time to punch the pillows some more.

I was not happy with the new situation with the guards. I was fine with just two, but now I have four? Hmmph.

Now we were going to have two inside and two outside at all times instead of just one inside and one outside patrolling, and if I leave, all four will be with me.

I thought they were taking it a bit far, but Riley thought the opposite. He was being very stubborn.

I took the bedding out of the dryer after enough time had passed and headed to the living room to fold it, but stopped in my tracks when I saw that the guards were still there despite my wishing and seeing they were not. So I headed to the bedroom to fold them. I didn't want to be around people at the moment. I was still a bit peeved.

I sat on the edge of the bed and started folding. I sighed to myself, wanting to keep arguing over the extra bodyguards but knowing it was useless. I was quickly learning that when Riley had his mind set on something, he was an unmovable rock.

He was more like a bull than a wolf at times.

I put the bedding away once I was done and then stood in the middle of the room, looking at nothing. I didn't want to go into the living room and be around people, but there was nothing to do but stare at the walls in the bedroom.

I sighed again and headed to the bathroom, figuring I might try to relieve some of the tension I was feeling by having a nice hot bath, including the whirlpool jets.

I dropped in a bath bomb then slowly sank in. The smell of night-blooming jasmine permeated the air. Of all the scents I had smelled, this was my favorite. It had a soothing effect on me.

I laid my head back and let myself doze. I woke up to the soft stroking of my hand and Riley kneeling by the tub.

"I think you've turned into a prune by now." He joked.

I sat up and noticed that the water was cold and I was indeed doing a good impression of a prune. I pulled the plug to start draining the tub and stood up.

Riley handed me a towel and helped me step out of the tub even though I didn't really need it.

He watched me as I self-consciously wrapped the towel around myself.

"I know you are angry with me, and I am sorry. But I feel it is necessary to ensure your protection. You mean the world to me, and I don't want to see you hurt. Besides, the double guard duty is only until we catch and dispose of this guy."

"Dispose of him? What do you mean? Won't he go to jail or some Werewolf equivalent?" I asked wide eyed, but knowing the answer.

He sighed and shook his head as his hand slowly stroked my shoulder. "Sadly, no. He's too dangerous to let live. Once a wolf has killed a human, there is nothing we can do for them. All they will crave is human flesh. Death is the only justice we can give."

I sighed and nodded. I was realizing that life as a werewolf was going to be tough, tougher than anything I could ever imagine, and I could imagine a lot. It was full of harsh and often deadly realities. I had traded one tough and unforgiving life for an even harsher one.

I went into the bedroom and slowly got dressed, my thoughts on the changes these last few weeks had brought to my life and how I was adapting.

I was adapting and changing to fit the new mold of my life. But I didn't know if I was liking the changes. I never thought I would like violence, but here I was learning to fight, and soon, I would be learning to shoot a gun. Thinking of Ronnie's death, I realized blood and gore did not bother me like I thought it should. You'd think coming from the background I had, that I would hide from the violent side of life, but yet here I was, actually OK with it.

Was I some kind of sociopath or psychopath that this didn't bother me? Or did all people from my similar background act like this? I didn't know, but I knew I had to learn to accept that I wasn't typical and shouldn't expect typical reactions from myself.

I sighed, straightened my shoulders, and turned to Riley.

"If the double protection is only temporary, then I can deal with it. But only if it is temporary."

Riley put his hands on my shoulders as he kissed my forehead, a slight smile on his face. "Yes, my Sunshine, it will only be temporary. I promise."

I looked into his amazing eyes and smiled back.

With his arm around my waist, we headed back into the living room, where there were even more people now. About twenty to thirty, all standing at attention. Except Jasper, he always did what he wanted.

"This for those of you who do not know or recognize her, is my Mate, Poppy. She is never to be left alone except when in our bedroom, and even then, I expect someone to be close by the door. Where she goes, you go, even if Devie or myself are with her. You will follow Devie and my orders." At this, I glared at Riley, and he chuckled, "You will also follow Poppy's orders, within reason. I expect you to train and help Poppy train when warranted. This wolf is highly dangerous, and we must be at attention at all times. Just because he has kept his attacks to nights, does not mean he won't attack during the day." Riley started pacing back and forth.

"I know we are a mixed lot, some of us borderline enemies, but during this time, I expect you all to put aside your differences and do what your Alpha's have told you to do. I will try to make sure that the schedules are set where those who have issues do not work together, but I am sure there will be times that will be unavoidable. Keep it professional. Do not make me interfere, because you won't like the consequences. While working inside, feel free to eat and drink whatever you need, just be vigilant."

Riley took me by the hand and started introducing me to the new guards. Turns out he wasn't kidding about us being a mixed lot. There were Were-leopards, Were-snakes, Were-bears, and even a Wear-hawk. I was intrigued and wanted to see them all shift, though I kept that to myself. I couldn't help but be fascinated. I finally got to put a name to the two new people I had seen earlier.

The small man was named Jockey, nicknamed this because he was the size of a horse jockey. He, it turned out, was a Were-snake and was incredibly fast at hand to hand fighting. He had a Spanish accent that was quite charming. I took to his sense of humor quickly.

The other guy, the huge behemoth, was named Alex, and he was a Were-bear, grizzly to be exact. He was the only grizzly in his Pack or group, not sure what they were called, and was told by Riley in my head they were called a 'maul'. He didn't really have an accent, and he was a very quiet man, but when he spoke, his voice was very deep and rich. I was quite intimidated by him, yet I felt safe too. He made me feel confused. Should I be scared or safe?

Everyone mingled and talked for a while before Riley called a halt and advised them of the new shift change. Those who were off duty left, and those who were staying went back to standing at attention, waiting for their instructions.

Tina and Alex were to be the indoor guards, and Jockey and another man named Henry, who was another member of the Pack, were to patrol the outside.

Riley liked the idea of Jockey patrolling outside because of his Were-snake abilities, which allowed him to blend in and be silent.

I looked at the time and realized it was near dinner time and that Jaime was supposed to teach me to cook tonight, but I guessed that it was probably going to be postponed due to Evans having been killed the night before.

How were we going to feed so many people? Riley couldn't do the cooking every night. It wouldn't be right. I really needed to learn how to cook, and soon.

I soon found out how everyone was going to be fed. Riley called out for pizza. He ordered a large pizza for each of us, bodyguards in and out as well. The two inside ate first before switching with the guards outside.

It was a while later, and dinner was over except for me. I still had two pieces left and was seriously considering them when I saw Jasper, who seemed to always be around nowadays even when he wasn't on duty, eyeballing them too. "No way, Jose. You are not getting my pizza. You had your own, not my fault you inhaled them like they were air."

Jasper gave me puppy eyes, "Oh c'mon, lil' sis, you wouldn't let me starve, would you?"

I gave him my best unimpressed look, used to his 'lil sis.'

"You're darn tootin'." I grabbed a slice and took a big bite out of it. I refused to look at him again. But I caught him out of the corner of my eye, holding his hands to his chest as if mortally wounded. I sighed, chuckled, and gave in.

"Dear Lady! You have saved this young peasant from a life of starvation. I thank thee verily." He proceeded to inhale the slice as quickly as he had his own earlier.

I just shook my head and turned my attention back to the news. I stared in horrified fascination. It couldn't be. It was fake, right? I heard crying, and only after a few moments did I realize it was me.

Riley had wrapped his arms around me and was trying to console me. I just kept shaking my head back and forth, crying that it wasn't real.

Riley let me go with one hand and used his other to make a phone call. I could barely make out what he was saying (though if I was paying attention, I could hear both sides), but it was along the lines of confirming what was on the news. He hung up and cradled me to him.

I finally quieted, soft sobs only occasionally appearing. Riley's phone rang, and I jumped at the sound. Just noticing that the room had gone completely silent, even the TV was on mute.

Riley asked a couple of questions then hung up.

He had me look up at him, his face compassionate.

"I am sorry, Sunshine. The news was correct. Your mother and one of your sisters, the older one, were killed last night. It was a wolf attack."

I wailed and beat at his chest. How could this be? I may have hated Mother and my sister with a passion. But they had been all I had known for twenty years. I could live with never seeing them again if they were alive. To know that they would have to live with the knowledge of me never in their grasp again. But to know they were forever gone, and so violently? I didn't know how to deal.

I had never lost someone I had known so close before. I was heartbroken, and I didn't really understand why I was for people who were the epitome of evil. All I could do was grieve.

I sank into Riley's arms and sobbed until I couldn't sob anymore. After a while I just sat there in his arms, not hearing anyone or thinking anything. I was just numb.

I didn't even pay attention to Riley, who eventually picked me up and took me into the bedroom. Nor did I even notice him stripping me and tucking me into bed. I just stared unseeingly at the ceiling.

After a while Riley joined me in bed, cradling me close. I tucked my head against his shoulder and closed my eyes. I eventually fell into a restless sleep.

I woke up from a nightmare, screaming. The images of their mangled torn apart bodies burned into my mind. Strong arms wrapped around me. Soothing words were whispered into my hair. I clung to him as if there were no tomorrow.

I calmed down after a while, but I still clung to Riley. I lifted my head and looked into his eyes, as if they held the answers to the world.

"Why? Why them? Why am I so upset? I just don't understand." I cried.

"Why, because that wolf couldn't get to you, he chose them knowing it would hurt you. And the reason you are upset is because despite everything, they were your blood."

"You know, I was fine never seeing them again when it was my choice. But now, knowing I don't have a choice, it's tearing me up inside. What's wrong with me?" I wailed.

He held me tighter. "Nothing is wrong with you. You're grieving, it's natural."

"Well, it doesn't feel natural. It feels surreal. Like it is all a dream that I can't wake up from. When will it end?"

Riley sighed and laid his cheek on the top of my head. "I don't know, Sunshine."