Chapter Eight

RJ relaxed into the couch with Nikki cuddled into his side after quick showers for everyone. Across the room, Zachary, Casey, Craig and Mike were settled on the floor. Dylan and Brandon took up the large chairs while Justin and Ben leaned against the couch beside him. Beers had been passed around and while the atmosphere was somber, RJ couldn’t help the smile on his face.

Once he’d gotten Nikki back to his house, she’d been able to shift and they’d showered together. They’d had to make it quick, but he’d have more time with her later. He was excited to see her interaction with his former team.

Nikki and Casey were already teasing each other. RJ was pleased. He’d had a feeling she’d get along with the guys. It was important since he was already more than halfway in love with her. Nikki was everything he’d always wanted in a partner. Soon it would be time to put his cards on the table and ask her to stay with him.

“So what now?” Ben questioned. He was leaning against Justin’s shoulder. Justin was trying not to be obvious, but RJ could see how he’d wrapped his arm around Ben’s lower back.

“Now to protect the Pack,” Dylan stated. “Cameron’s already suggested that anyone who backed the felines or attacked during the challenge should leave the Pack. We might lose some of our members.”

“It’s for the best,” Brandon said. Nikki’s brother appeared more worn than the rest of them. RJ would have been worried about injuries, but Dylan had assured him that Brandon was okay. “Bringing unknown felines into the Pack to challenge…” He shook his head. “We’re so fucking lucky no one was killed.”

“It’s not your fault, Brandon,” Nikki spoke up.

He shrugged. “I should have done more. I never expected Samson to have become so lost.”

It was Zachary who sat forward to address Brandon. “You couldn’t have known. When it mattered, you stepped up to protect your family and Pack. I saw you throw yourself into several situations during the challenge to protect many in this room. That’s what matters.”

Brandon sighed. “Thanks.” He didn’t look convinced, but RJ figured it would take time for the events of the evening to be dealt with.

“You’re going to have to recover quickly,” Zachary went on to say.

RJ snapped his head up to stare at the Prince. “What’s going on?”

Zachary peered around the room then his gaze settled on Dylan. “Cameron’s updated you on the plans to go public.”

“Yes.” Dylan gave a slow nod. “He said the Council will let us know.”

“Well.” Zachary wrapped his arm around his mate’s shoulder. Casey gripped his thigh. That didn’t seem good. “I got the call on the way here. Two weeks.”

“Two weeks?” Nikki repeated in shock. RJ knew just how she felt. He’d known it was in the plans, but RJ figured there’d be still months or even years to go.

“The Council is ready,” Zachary said. “The announcement will be given in a speech with the President of the US. The Council will have several shifters there at the time.”

“You’ll be there,” RJ guessed. It would make sense to have the most powerful feline, the Prince of his species, along with the wolf shifters.

“I have agreed to stand with them,” Zachary stated.

Casey was frowning and Craig looked about ready to hop up. RJ knew these men better than he did his own brothers. They were worried.

“Do you need me?” RJ asked. He didn’t want to leave his brother right when they were dealing with a new Pack, but he wouldn’t turn his back on his unit.

“Not right now,” Casey answered. He’d been RJ’s commanding officer for the last ten years and RJ trusted that Casey would call him if he was needed. After Zachary had been kidnapped several months ago, Casey wouldn’t take a chance with Zach’s safety. “We might tag you for the actual day, but right now stay here and make sure your brother and Pack are safe. We don’t know what is going to happen after the announcement is made.”

“But you expect trouble?” Nikki asked. She leaned forward and RJ grunted. He wanted to keep holding her. He’d still not recovered from seeing Samson attacking her.

“Yes,” Zachary and Casey answered together.

“Damn,” RJ muttered. The dust hadn’t settled quite yet and already the next issue was arising. He had to wonder if his life was ever going to be easy. After years of service for his country, all he wanted was to be able to take some time to settle in and enjoy being retired. Instead he’d had to deal with the threat of a challenge to his brother and now the unknown danger of the shifters going public.

Nikki slid her hand over his knee, making him aware of something else he’d wanted to take care of. RJ was certain she’d be a part of his future, though his life was here and she didn’t even live in town. They needed to have a serious talk.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Zachary said. “However, I fully support this move. We need better protection.”

“At least our town is full of shifters and those who know about us,” Dylan said. “If any strangers show up, we’ll be able to easily spot them.”

“I’ll prepare a new schedule for the deputies,” Brandon added. “Once we have the exact date, we’ll run double shifts until we know how the public is reacting.”

“That’s a good idea.” Dylan nodded in approval. RJ was surprised to see the two of them working so well together. Sure, Dylan had asked Brandon to be his Beta due to Cameron’s recommendation, but RJ had thought it would take more time for the bond to form between Alpha and Beta.

“I’ll stick around for a little bit as well, unless you need me with you?” Mike said to Casey.

No, stay here,” Casey said. “We’ll touch base before the announcement is made.”

Nikki yawned snuggling to his side.

“For now, let’s work out where everyone is going to sleep,” RJ said. “It’s been a long night.”

“If Nikki is staying here, someone can take her room,” Brandon offered.

“Yeah.” She didn’t even lift her head from RJ’s chest.

“Zachary and Casey can have her room. I’ll sleep on the couch in case of trouble,” Craig stated, standing.

“I’ve got this place covered,” Mike said.

RJ didn’t think anyone needed to be on guard, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t relieved to know his best friend would keep an eye out. “You ready for bed?” he asked Nikki.

She rolled her head to peer up at him and grinned.

Immediately, he responded to the heat in her gaze. Oh, the evening is just getting started. RJ pushed himself off the couch before leaning down to pull her after him. Brandon stepped up and RJ moved away for Brandon to embrace Nikki.

“You scared the shit out of me tonight. Don’t think we won’t be discussing that later,” he whispered to her.

RJ grinned. He had a few things to say about that as well.

“I know.” She nodded.

Justin was the next in line for hugs so RJ crossed the room to his team.

“I can’t thank you enough for being here,” he said to Zachary. “I don’t know what we would have done.”

“It was my pleasure to be able to assist you after everything you’d done for me,” Zachary responded.

RJ was proud he’d been able to rescue Zachary when the man had been taken by his cousin. The months-long search had been hard, but he’d met a couple of great people along the way and RJ could look at the entire mission as a success.

“When you need us, you call,” Casey demanded, yanking RJ into a hug. “I’ll kick your ass if you don’t.”

“Yes, sir.” He pounded on Casey’s back. “I promise.”

Next, he shook hands with Craig, who wasn’t much of a touchy-feely guy. Craig nodded toward Nikki. “You have someone real special there.”

RJ followed his gaze. “I know.” He did.

“We’ll see you for breakfast in the morning,” Casey ordered. “I heard the diner makes some fantastic pancakes.”

“Sure,” RJ agreed.

“Bring your girl. I want to get to know her better.”

RJ waited until their guests were gone and Dylan and Ben were headed to bed. He turned to Mike. “I can’t thank you enough for calling the team. It didn’t even dawn on me to do so.”

Mike shrugged. “I’m just glad they made it here on time. I didn’t think we’d be fighting felines, but I thought Zachary’s position would help. Show Samson that we had some major power behind us.”

“I’m just glad it’s all over,” RJ said.

“Me, too,” Mike agreed. “Now on to the next the stage of our civilian life.”

“Yeah. And I thought retirement was going to be boring.”

Mike chuckled; slapping him on the back. “You better get your woman to bed. It looks like she’s going to fall asleep on her feet.”

RJ turned around to see Nikki trying to hide a yawn behind her hand. “Come on,” he said.

Nikki slid easily under his arm while they walked down the hall. She’d been through a lot that night and even if he just got to hold her, that would be enough.

“Let’s get you tucked in bed,” RJ said.

Nikki laughed. “I think we can do better than that.”

“I don’t want to wear you out. You did fight another shifter tonight. One who was much bigger than you.”

“I’d rather you made love to me until I can’t think straight. I don’t want to dream.”

He liked the way she thought. If Nikki needed him to stop her from replaying the fight, then RJ was not going to let her down. He opened his bedroom door in a second and pushed her inside. She laughed and, walking backward, started to lift her shirt over her head.

“First one naked gets to be on top,” she teased.

He didn’t care who was on top as long as he got her naked. So he pounced and helped her undress. They fumbled a little when her jeans caught on the shoes she still hadn’t removed. They laughed and tugged them off together until she was finally undressed.

“Now you,” she murmured and reached for his belt buckle.

“In a minute,” he told her and eased her onto the mattress. He fell on top of her and started to kiss her once again. He mapped her body with his hands, learning where she was sensitive and how much pressure she liked. She was soft in all the right places.

Nikki arched into him, dragging her nails down his back. He shuddered with arousal. He liked the thought of her marks on his body. “RJ…please. Don’t tease.”

He just chuckled and continued his assault, feeding on her ripe breasts, which were full and begging for attention. She liked the way he flicked her nipples with his tongue, if the volume of her moans was any indication. RJ trailed his mouth down as he slipped his fingers inside. Her pussy, already wet and swollen, called to him. He buried his face in her sex and breathed deep. Her scent beckoned to every part of him. Man and wolf both wanted to claim her. To mark her where no other person would ever lay a hand on her again. It was way too soon to even consider making that type of commitment, but that didn’t mean RJ didn’t feel the need.

He licked at her, slowly at first, but as she spread wider for him, he feasted, nibbling until her shouts of ecstasy bounced off the walls. When she climaxed against his mouth, he sucked down her sweet essence. But it wasn’t enough. He pulled away from her and flipped her over. She landed on her knees. Nikki opened her legs and lowered her shoulders to the pillow. RJ held her down with a hand on the back of her neck while he released his raging hard-on with the other.

His wolf howled at the show of dominance and submission.

And she arched, moaning and begging for him to take her.

So much—so much emotion, so much passion. There was no doubt that the woman under him was meant to be his future. He slid inside her little by little, drawing out both her pleasure and his.

Her body welcomed him.

He withdrew, nice and slow, then slammed inside.

“Yes…yes,” she urged him on, still drunk on passion.

RJ growled and let himself go, pounding into her, lifting her hips and claiming her body like he wanted to do to her soul. Nikki met him thrust for thrust. The slaps of flesh coming together and their cries of joy filled the room. His orgasm came in a rush. She yelled, clamping her inner muscles around his cock, and pushed him hard over the edge.

He collapsed above her, panting in her ear until she started to giggle. He rose enough to brush her sweaty hair out of her face. She grinned up at him.

“Just keeps getting better and better,” she said, her voice husky and pleased.

RJ laughed, pulled out of her gently and fell back down, at her side. “We have breakfast tomorrow with the guys, so we really do need to get some sleep.”

When Nikki didn’t respond, her turned his head and found her asleep, her breathing soft. Well, shit, he was going to have to move them up the mattress and under the covers.

With a sigh, he rolled off the bed. He peered down at her. Nikki was just as beautiful sound asleep as she was with passion in her eyes. RJ had no idea how he’d gotten so lucky as to have caught her attention. But he was going to have to figure out a way to keep it.

She barely even responded when he yanked down a corner of the bedspread and lifted her into the spot. A snuffle, a moan and she was snuggling down. With a shake of his head, he headed to the bathroom to clean up so he could join her.

RJ could get used to having Nikki in his life and bed, just like this. All too easily…

* * * *

RJ locked the door to his shop before sliding onto his bike and heading home. He waved at Brandon as he passed the sheriff’s office. Brandon lifted his hand, smiling as he did so.

Their relationship had done a complete one-eighty in the past two weeks. Now that they had to work together every day making sure the Pack was ready for the big announcement, they’d found a common ground. That and Nikki had threatened to rip off their balls if they didn’t start acting like adults.

His woman was scary sometimes.

RJ smiled. My woman. RJ thought of her that way, but, as busy as everyone still was, they hadn’t had the talk about the future yet.

The short drive to the house where everyone was meeting was enjoyable. It was cooling down and he needed his thick leather jacket when he was on his bike. Nikki had expressed interest in joining him for a long ride, but there hadn’t been time. After he closed the shop at night, his usual routine was to report to Dylan and the rest of the inner circle so plans could be made for the future on how to handle any danger to the Pack.

Luckily he was able to crawl into bed with her every night. Either his or hers, but RJ always found himself with Nikki in his arms when he did turn in. She appeared to be just as smitten with him as he was with her.

It wouldn’t be tonight, though.

All their preparations would come down to how the public handled what was being released tonight. The shifters knew what was going to be said. The other millions of people in the world had no idea how their lives would change.

He pulled under the carport and saw that everyone but Brandon had arrived.

Even from the yard, the laughing and joking could be heard clearly though the open door. RJ stomped up the wood steps and entered. He was glad that Casey hadn’t needed him or Mike. There was a good chance that his little town would be just fine and wouldn’t get hit hard by violence, but RJ still wanted to be there.

“Hey,” Nikki greeted as she passed. She leaned close to bestow a quick kiss on him on her way to the kitchen.

Ben and Justin were settled in one of the big chairs while Mike, Max and a couple of the other inner circle Pack sprawled out on the floor.

Snacks and drinks were scattered around the room, probably thanks to Ben. Ben had always acted a bit of a mother hen, but now that Dylan was Alpha, he always had some fresh-cooked food available for when someone stopped by.

It wouldn’t be long until Dylan moved into the Alpha house now that Cameron had left town. The house needed a little work and Dylan had a plan to make it his own while still allowing the place to remain comfortable to the Pack. RJ hadn’t decided if he was going to join Dylan or not. A lot of his choice would come down to whether or not Nikki stayed in town.

RJ settled on the couch in front of the flat-screen television and accepted a bottle of beer from Nikki. She held her own bottle and relaxed next to him. Dylan entered the room at the same time as Brandon strolled in.

“You ready for this?” Brandon asked, sitting beside Nikki.

RJ glanced at his brother. Dylan hadn’t said much about the upcoming announcement since he’d become Alpha. Even though Dylan would keep his word and go public with the rest of the world, no one was excited about the prospect of trouble.

“Hell, no,” Dylan muttered before he began to pace.

“It’s time,” Ben said, picking up the remote and turning on the television. He raised the news up loud so they wouldn’t miss a word.

At exactly seven o’clock, the picture on the screen switched to the private room full of reporters.

“Ladies and gentlemen…the President of the United States of America.”

The leader of their country stepped up to the podium.

Nikki gripped RJ’s hand and they exchanged worried glances. This wasn’t the only place where the shifters’ existence was being revealed to the public. There would be similar announcements made in other countries, until it was finally known around the world that some of the mystical creatures in movies and books were very real.

The shifters were now out in the open.

RJ had to give the Commander in Chief President Lawson credit. He spoke with intelligence and calmness as he informed the public about the existence of shifter-kind. The reporters in the room began screaming out questions, but President Lawson remained in control and simply held up a hand.

“I know you have questions,” President Lawson stated. “Luckily, standing here with me are some people who have more knowledge about the situation and have agreed to come forward.”

A tall, good-looking man with dark hair and a bright smiled stepped up to the podium. “Hello ladies and gentlemen. My name is Tony.”

“I wouldn’t want to be that guy,” Nikki whispered to RJ while shuddering.

RJ agreed as the wolf shifter continued to introduce himself and state facts about what he was. The man would probably end up with the biggest target on his back. No matter how much RJ hoped for the best outcome, in his gut he feared the worst. He had a feeling that the next couple of weeks and months would see the lives of those of his kind undergo a drastic change. He couldn’t see how there wouldn’t be panic.

“They’ve done a lot of work in preparation for this,” Dylan said over the television.

“I hope so,” RJ responded. He had to remain positive for his brother. Even though Dylan would pick up his unease over the situation, RJ didn’t want to make things harder for Dylan.

“Shh,” Ben hushed.

“You cannot be turned into a shifter,” the man on the television was saying. “A scratch or bite is just urban myth. At no time and under no circumstance can you ever be changed into a shifter. You’ve been living side by side with us for centuries. Nothing is different now that you are aware of our existence.”

“Do you think people are going to believe that?” Justin asked.

“Some will,” Brandon replied. “Others will take time.”

“What do we do in the meantime?” Justin questioned.

“We’re lucky,” Dylan stated. “If a stranger enters our town, we’ll know about it. I’m going to open our Pack to others who need sanctuary from the human world.”

“Wouldn’t that make more sense if we weren’t going public?” Ben asked.

“If the shifter had already been outed to the public, he can’t join a Pack that’s staying hidden without putting them at risk. If that shifter comes here, we can look out for them,” Dylan explained.

“There’s already been offers from the Council to my department for help within the sheriff’s office. If we do start to take in shifters, they have men who can come help,” Brandon informed them.

RJ hadn’t realized how much their town was in danger of changing.

“The bigger cities are going to be the worst,” Dylan said.

“It’s a good thing you’re not returning right away,” Brandon said to Nikki. “I’d be worried sick.”

Wait, what? RJ turned toward Nikki. “You’re not?”

“Uh…” She glanced from her brother and back to him.

Brandon set his beer down. “I thought you said you were staying. I don’t want you to be gone until we know how the humans are going to react.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” RJ spoke over Brandon. He’d been worried sick and trying to figure out a way to talk to her and she was making the decision without him.

Nikki huffed then stood. “I also told you not to say anything yet,” she said to Brandon.

“Oh yeah.” Brandon said.

“Come here.” She reached down and tugged him to his feet.

RJ followed as she led him out of the living room onto the front porch. Someone, probably Ben, had added several additional pieces of brown wicker furniture and some plants. With solar lights boarding the rails, the ambiance was almost romantic.

“I was going to talk to you,” Nikki finally said when she stopped walking. She turned and looked up at him.

“Okay?” He was confused why they needed to have this conversation outside, though.

“I’m staying in town, although I’ll still be taking assignments all over.”

He frowned. That didn’t sound good. Sure, RJ knew she had to work, but he didn’t see why she couldn’t do it from home.

“Why are you frowning?”

“You can’t work from here?”

Nikki smiled. “I travel quite a lot to get the photographs for my articles. I usually finish everything up from my home base, which is going to be here.”

Maybe I can go with her? If she was going to be out in the open, she needed someone to watch her back. RJ would have some trouble getting away while they were preparing for the future, but Nikki was important to him.

Nikki gave a deep sigh pulling away. She stalked over to the railing and leaned against it. “It’s fine,” she said. “I don’t expect anything from you.”

“What? Why not?”

“Hey, I was going to talk to you. Just because I’m staying in town doesn’t mean that you have to make a commitment to me. I understand that you started this thing with me thinking I would be leaving.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?” RJ said with a growl. Was Nikki actually trying to break up with him? Oh, hell, no! “You actually think you’re going to live here and see other people?”

“RJ—”

“No,” he stated. “I didn’t start this thing with you thinking you would leave. I’ve been trying to think of a way to talk to you about our future, but every time I want to approach the topic, something happens. One way or another, we’re going to make this relationship work.”

“Relationship? You want to have a relationship with me?”

“Of course I do!” He threw up his hands in frustration.

“Then why are we fighting?” she yelled.

RJ started to laugh. Well, shit, they were arguing. He almost fell over as he couldn’t contain his amusement. When he finally got hold of himself, he flopped into one of the chairs and motioned to Nikki. “Come here,” he said, breathless.

She had a bewildered expression on her face, but luckily for him she strolled over and dropped into his lap. “You done laughing?”

“It just struck me as funny. We were both too worried about what was going to happen we didn’t talk to each other,” RJ said.

“Yes. I’m aware of that. However, I don’t find it as amusing as you did. And why the hell were you making faces when I said I was staying? It’s your fault I thought you didn’t want me to stay.”

“I want you to stay,” he assured her. “I just don’t like the idea of you traveling when all of this is going on.”

“Now you sound like Brandon.”

“I always thought he was a smart man,” RJ quipped.

“Liar. You couldn’t stand him. You just like when he is as over-protective as you are.”

He shrugged. It wasn’t as though he could dispute her words. “Fine, but he’s right.”

“Which makes you right,” Nikki pointed out.

“There is that. I just don’t think you should be going off to places you don’t know when we aren’t sure where the threats, if any, will come from.”

“I’ll be careful,” she said. “I do know how to do my job.”

“I’ve seen your work online, remember. You’re very good. I just hate the idea of you traveling alone.”

Her smile lit up her entire face. “I’d forgotten you researched me.”

“Don’t think I’ve forgotten you got classified information as well. We are going to discuss that one day.”

“But not today?” she asked, running her hands up his chest.

“No, right now we’re going to figure out living arrangements.”

“I have my room at my house,” she said.

“That’s fine as long as I’m welcome to stay there with you. Or you could stay here. But I don’t want to sleep apart from you.”

“You don’t…you don’t think it’s too soon?” she questioned.

“I really don’t care,” he replied with complete honesty. “As long as I get to hold you every night and wake with you in the morning. Especially if you plan to go out of town a lot.”

“Not a lot, but it will happen. But when I’m in town I’d love to be with you every chance I can.”

“There’s an apartment above my shop,” he informed her. “I haven’t done anything with it yet, but maybe it’s time I did.”

“Oh, really?” She practically purred the words.

“A bedroom suite and maybe even an office area. That way if I’m downstairs working, you would still be close by.”

Nikki leaned forward and nuzzled him. “I like the sound of that. I still want to watch you work someday.”

“And have you thought about a tattoo?”

“Maybe,” she teased. “If I had the right artist.”

RJ cupped her face. “Like I would let anyone else put their hands on you.”

“What about your hands?” she asked, rubbing her leg against his.

He ran his hands down her neck to cup her breasts. “I’m pretty sure you could talk me into anything.”

“Hmm…” Nikki leaned in to kiss him and RJ allowed himself to just relax and let her control the speed.

At least they were on the same page in regard to their relationship. And it was a relationship, damn it. Nikki was his and he wasn’t about to let her go without one hell of a fight.