Chapter 5

***** The next morning, as Nick was getting out of bed there was a knock on his door and Matt entered without waiting for a response. "You’re supposed to be on duty." “I got a call from the border." Matt responded from the doorway. "They spotted your sister on her way here with Kate. They should be here any minute." Nick grunted and almost jumped back into bed and under the covers. He should have known it was something like this. Matt would’ve never left his post unless his presence was required somewhere else. He took his responsibilities as he second too seriously to leave him alone to deal with visitors from a different pack. It wasn’t his sister that was the problem though. “How the hell did Kate manage to sink her claws into my sister?” “Your guess is as good as mine.” Matt threw over his shoulder as he walked away, leaving him to get ready. “I’ll be downstairs.” The doorbell rang as Nick, now dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, made his way down the stairs. He heard Matts sigh of relief and knew that he wasn’t the only one dreading the coming visit. Reluctantly, Nick made his way to the front door, muttering under his breath unintelligibly. Near the end, his mutterings turned into growls. Hand on the door knob Matt looked over his shoulder at him and Nick knew his best friend was having a hard time keeping a straight face. “How can you talk about your sister like that?” "Open the door already," Nick growled, "the sooner I find out why they're here, the sooner they leave." Matt shook his head, having fun at his expense. "It’s a sad day when a brother doesn't want to spend quality time with his little sister. I can just imagine her face as she hears the way you're speaking about her." "You know I'm not talking about Sarah." "Still no way to talk about your-" Nick growled once more. This time a warning, laced with the power of an Alpha. Matt got the hint. At the blink of an eye he was back to all seriousness, no longer the best friend but the enforcer-the second in command. Nick knew Matt hated the whole 'Alpha' deal but the upcoming visit had him on edge. That was no excuse and Nick knew it. Nick apologized and ran a hand through his hair. Once more Matt glanced at him over his shoulder. He was still in 'Enforcer' mode but the flatness in his eyes was again replaced with laughter. He nodded once in acceptance of his apology and opened the door. As soon as he did; Sarah rushed past Matt, ignoring him like she’d taken to doing lately. She threw herself at Nick and he caught her in a bear hug. Behind her, Kate followed at more sedate pace, also ignoring Matt. When she reached the embraced pair, she coughed to get their attention. Nick released Sarah and they both turned to face her. "Hi Nicky." Kate greeted. He hated when she called him that but no matter how often he asked her not to, she still did it. Without his prompting she gave him a hug, one he didn't return, letting his hands hang loose at his sides. And when he saw that Kate intended to kiss him, he managed to turn away just in time. "I've missed you," she murmured as she stepped away. With barely contained disgust, Nick rubbed his cheek with the back of his hand. Trying to remove the smear of makeup she'd left behind. Nick hated the stuff, while he admitted that it probably had its uses he just couldn't get past the smell. Not many of their kind could. "I'm sorry I can't say the same," he told her. Without waiting for a response he turned away and headed for the living room. The Alpha house was decorated to fit his bachelor status, nowhere more than the living room. He had big, black leather sofas, obviously chosen for comfort not looks. The coffee and side tables were made of glass. On each side table sat a lamp that had never been used because no one ever bother to put light bulbs in them. On the coffee table there were empty soda cans, bags of chips and remotes. Remotes to the television, sound system and every video game console in the market. Directly in front of the coffee table sat a fifty inch flat screen television on a stand that also housed the game consoles. One look around the living room and it was blatantly obvious to anyone who visited, that the home owner was one happy bachelor. And that's the way Nick liked it. He didn’t want anyone-mostly Kate- getting any ideas that he was in search of a mate. He sat on the leather chair, leaving no room for unwanted company. The girls took a seat on the sofa-not before wiping the cushions- and Matt went to lean against the wall behind Nick. Kate glared at Matt before turning to look at Nick. "We're not going to attack you. Why don't you send the...mutt, outside? “ Matt stiffened at the insult and straightened up. Nick could almost see the anger rolling out of him in spades. Nick shot up off his seat and stood in front of him to stop him from taking another step when he turned towards the entrance hall. "Matt isn’t going anywhere,” Nick growled. “I am Alpha here. This is my house. I decide who stays and who goes. Matt is not only my best friend but my second and as such he deserves the respect of anyone who visits, not only this house but my territory. If you don't like it, get out.” Kate gasped and looked straight at him and Nick growled threateningly in return. Immediately she looked down and concentrated on the floor. If he wasn’t so mad he would have laughed. Kate was one of the hardest, mercenary bitches he knew, very little cowed her. “Matt, I need you to stay. And Kate,” he gave her a cold stare when she looked up, “is going to apologize.” Kate, looking at the floor, did so meekly-but not graciously, "my apologies Enforcer." "The day I walked away from fathers pack, I created my own. That day I promised to protect the people that chose to follow me with my life. They all suffered enough in the Pacific Pack and I will do everything in my power to keep my people from suffering now." Every member in his pack could have stayed behind, yet they'd chosen to follow him; a twenty-one year old with no destination in mind. Looking at the flourishing pack now, no one could believe it was the same pack from three years ago. Yet they were and each member had in one way or another proved their loyalty to him. Through thick and thin they had stuck with him and he could do no less in return, his honor wouldn't allow him to. "Your pure blood makes you no better than anyone else, definitely not better than any of my people." Nick released a sigh full of pent up frustration and ran a hand through his hair. "I don’t even know why you keep coming around. There is nothing for you here." Nick turned away and scrubbed his face. He was tired and felt older than his twenty-four.  Before he could dwell on the past, Nick turned back to face his sister and Kate. "Why are you here?" He asked Kate then raised a hand to stop whatever she was about to say and added, "please save me from smelling the sour scent of your lies. Let’s not insult ourselves by treating each other like humans." The calculating stare she gave him was more in line with the female he knew and she acceded with a regal nod. "The Alpha -and I-think you should spend more time with your future mate. So here I am." Nick nodded thoughtfully, "you know what? I think you’re Alpha- and you -are right." Kate beamed at his easy acceptance but his next words washed the smile away. "Thank you for pointing out the error of my ways but I promise you that as soon as you leave I will do everything in my power to rectify my mistake."