Chapter 9: Chapter Nine

The backyard bustled with members of the Pack and Kiley couldn’t believe the warm reception she was receiving. Even more shocking was how many of her old Pack who had embraced her. Kiley hadn’t been close to her parents, especially not after her dad had sold her to Riker and he and her mom had lived the high life before they were killed in a car accident. But the people who came up to her didn’t talk about her parents—instead they shared stories about her grandparents from her mother’s side.

Kiley felt overwhelmed by the many claims of how much her grandparents had loved her. She’d only been two years old when her grandfather had passed from a heart attack. Less than twelve months later, Kiley’s grandma had followed her mate into death. Kiley wished she remembered any family who might have actually loved her, but she’d been too young. Still, that wasn’t as hard as hearing apology after apology about not knowing what she’d been going through with Riker. Kiley hated that what had been done to her was still affecting people. She vowed to show the Pack they were strong enough to move on from the past and they were all going to live happily.

Spotting Austin making his way to her, Kiley excused herself from another female and met him halfway across the yard.

“You doing okay?” he asked softly while passing her over a cold bottle of water.

“Yeah.” She twisted off the cap and took a long pull before leaning against his side. “It’s hard hearing some of the stories about my family, but it’s good, too.”

Austin brushed his lips against her temple, wrapping his arm around her waist. “There’s someone else who wants to talk to you, but she doesn’t want to do it in front of everyone else.”

Kiley stiffened without meaning to. “Who is it?” She couldn’t help but be suspicious.

“She’s one of the first who joined my Pack,” Austin said. “She’s very quiet and I haven’t been able to get her to open up with me. I think you’ll want some privacy, too.”

“Okay,” Kiley rolled her shoulders then took a deep breath. Austin wasn’t going to give her a name and that bothered her, but Kiley was a big girl. “Where is she?”

“My office.”

Kiley took a step forward, but Austin tightened his arm.

“Hey, don’t be mad,” he told her.

“I’m not mad,” she replied.

He merely lifted an eyebrow.

“Much,” she amended.

“Trust me.” He drew her in close.

Like every other time, her body responded to his nearness. The press of him against her also helped to calm her. “Sorry,” she said quietly. “I guess I’m just wound up tight.”

“I know.” He ran his palm down her spine. “I promise, when everyone leaves, I’m going to pamper you. We’ll enjoy a long, hot bath together before I take you to bed and love every inch of you.”

Kiley hummed. “That sounds heavenly to me.”

“Come on then.” Austin threaded his fingers through hers and gave her a little tug.

People smiled at them when they passed. Well, guess there’s no hiding the relationship. Probably something she should have thought about or spoken to Austin about earlier. Too late now.

Ginger was stepping out of the sliding glass door with Sophie behind her as Kiley and Austin reached the back deck. They passed each other and Ginger reached out and squeezed her elbow before continuing. Kiley knew she was lucky to find Austin’s sister so accepting.

In Kiley’s opinion, she wasn’t good enough to be with an Alpha. If her Rogue status wasn’t enough to keep her separate, Kiley also had issue after issue that stopped her from opening up to people. Yes, she was working on it, but a mate to an Alpha needed to be solid.

She missed a step as her thoughts caught up with her. Mate? Where in the hell did that come from? She was nowhere near ready for that level of commitment. A wolf mate was for life.

“Hey!” Austin caught her around the shoulders to pull her to a stop. “Look, she wanted to surprise you, but if you’re upset—”

“No!” Kiley waved him off. “I was thinking and surprised myself.”

“What were you thinking about?”

Of course he would ask. Kiley could lie, but she really didn’t want to. She actually wanted to know what he thought about the subject. Did Austin see them being together like that? She knew he wanted her, but did that mean mating? Kiley moved to brace herself against the wall.

“What is it?” Austin asked, concern clearly written on his face.

“What’s going on between us?”

He blinked at her several times before he grinned brightly. “We’re falling in love.”

“Huh?” Kiley hadn’t expected that answer.

Austin chuckled. “You heard me. And by the way you’re blushing, I don’t think this really comes as a shock to you. What do you think is going on between us?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “I mean we’re…dating…or maybe not dating but…”

He stepped up and slid his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Kiley peered into his warm gaze.

“We’re partners,” he told her. “Together, we’re going to protect this Pack and help them grow and be happy. Eventually, we will mate and start a family.”

“Family?” Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit!

“Yes,” he said. “A family. Maybe not in a year, or even five years from now, but one day, I want a little girl or boy running around with your eyes and fearlessness.”

Wow, Kiley could even picture that. Well, actually she’d love a little boy with Austin’s coloring. A little man who would love her and call her mama. She found herself nodding, unable to speak.

“I was giving you time,” he told her quietly. “I know you’re not ready yet, but since you brought it up, you should know I plan to make you happy for the rest of our lives.”

“I don’t know why you’d even want me, but I’m not going to question it.”

“Good, don’t.” Austin leaned in and kissed her. Hard.

Kiley wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her chest against his. Mmm, she loved the taste of him.

“We can’t do this now,” Austin said, panting, after pulling away.

Oh, yeah, she was supposed to meeting some mystery person. “Later,” she told him.

“I can’t wait.”

After he stepped away, Kiley straightened her clothes to try to gather herself. Austin shifted his erection in his jeans and she wanted to reach out and help him, but that wouldn’t get them alone any sooner. Instead, she faced Austin’s closed office door.

She strolled forward, feeling it when he stepped behind her. The hall seemed to lengthen with every stride she took down it. Kiley knew that was just her nerves about whatever surprise lay in store for her. As she reached the thick, wooden door, she picked up a recent scent, one vaguely familiar. She couldn’t place it. When Kiley paused, Austin leaned against her back while reaching around and turning the knob.

At first, she didn’t see anyone. The curtains were open in the large room, allowing the waning light to creep in. Only the lamp on the desk helped illuminate the space. Movement in the corner of her room had Kiley snapping her head in that direction and she gasped.

“Allison?” she whispered.

“I was afraid you wouldn’t remember me.”

“Of course I do,” Kiley told her. She wanted to rush across the room and embrace her oldest friend, but her feet didn’t seem to be working.

Allison smiled while walking forward. “I…can. I… I want to hug you.”

Kiley was already nodding. That seemed to be all Allison needed. Allison ran across the room, her long blonde hair flowing behind her, until she launched herself into Kiley’s arms. The impact had Kiley grunting and almost falling, but Austin’s solid body kept her upright. Allison sobbed into her shoulder and Kiley wasn’t sure what to do. It had been so long since she’d seen her childhood friend. Kiley ran her hand over hair and shoulders while murmuring to her.

Finally, Allison pulled back. Kiley wiped the tears from her friend’s face. “Hey, what’s all this?” she asked gently.

“I…” Allison sobbed. “I’m so sorry I left you.”

“Oh, no!” Kiley hugged her tightly before she ushered her to the black leather couch that faced the window. The door clicked closed behind her then Austin’s soft footsteps crossed to the other side of the room. Kiley didn’t take her attention from her friend, though. Once they reached the couch, Kiley helped Allison sit down before she lowered herself and gripped Allison’s hand.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Allison said, in awe.

“You?” Kiley said with a laugh. “I didn’t even know you’d joined Austin’s Pack.”

“After we left Riker’s Pack, my parents didn’t really want anything to do with another Pack, but they also didn’t want to be Rogue. So, after we traveled around the United States for about a year, we moved to Australia.”

“Wow.” Kiley was impressed. She’d never gotten to travel. For Allison to have grown up in another country was amazing to her.

“It was great,” Allison told her. “But I never forgot about you. I wish I’d been there for you.”

“It’s okay,” Kiley soothed.

“No, it’s not!” Allison wailed. “I’ve heard the stories about what Riker did to you.”

“There’s nothing you could have done,” Kiley assured her.

“That’s the thing, though,” Allison said, gripping her fingers. “Do you know why we left?”

“No,” Kiley admitted. They’d been so young and she hadn’t understood why Allison and her family had disappeared. One day her best friend had been there and the next the house had stood empty and she hadn’t been allowed to even speak Allison’s name.

“Riker hit on my mom and told my dad he was going to take my mom away from him,” Allison said. “My dad knew he wasn’t strong enough to fight the Alpha, so in the middle of the night, we packed up everything we could and snuck out of the territory. I begged my parents not to take me away. I didn’t understand what was going on.”

“There is no way you’d have known.” She looked up when Austin walked over and handed them two glasses with a brown liquid. She took a sniff of the strong whiskey and smiled up at him.

Allison took a sip and that seemed to settle her somewhat. She released Kiley’s hand and sat back. “Thanks. I needed this.”

“Of course,” Austin replied softly. He sat in a leather chair across from them.

Kiley was glad he was sticking close. Despite her pleasure at seeing her old friend once again, this was all taking a lot out of her. She was becoming emotionally drained.

“You don’t have to do this now,” Kiley told Allison.

Allison nodded. “I’d really like to. We’re part of the same Pack again. That has to be a sign or something.”

Kiley smiled. “I guess you’re right.” She didn’t correct Allison’s statement about being part of the same Pack. If Austin was serious about what he’d said earlier, and she had no reason to think he wasn’t, she would be joining Austin’s Pack. It was only a matter of time.

“I want to get this out of the way so we can start catching up on the good times. We don’t have to talk about this again,” Allison said.

“I agree,” Kiley said. She was getting an opportunity she’d never expected. Allison had been the girl who Kiley had spent hours and hours playing and growing up with. From dolls to learning about their wolf sides, the two had done everything together. Before Allison had left one night and Kiley had never heard from her again.

“My parents didn’t ever tell me about why we’d left. At first, I asked and wanted to go home, but as time passed I loved where we lived and our new Pack. It wasn’t until after I’d gone to university and was thinking about moving back to the States that they told me what had happened. My mom cried the whole time and my dad was visibly upset. I swore to them that when I returned to the states, I would stay far clear of Riker. I settled in Florida and started my life, but I kept thinking about you and where you might be. I really thought that since we’d gotten out, so did you and your family.”

Kiley understood why Allison might think that. If she hadn’t actually gone through what had happened to her, it would seem farfetched.

“After a year, I was dying to find out where you were,” Allison said. “I began to research Riker’s territory. I read articles and newspapers, hoping to come across your name or something. That’s when I found the article about your parents’ accident.”

“Oh,” Kiley said. “I never saw that. I didn’t even go to the funeral. Riker already had me.”

“That article is why I really started searching for you. There was no mention of you at all. Nothing, and that didn’t sit right with me. So, I started to discreetly make inquires. I flew in several times before I finally found a Pack member out in public, but when I asked about you, no one knew much more than that you’d been sent away to boarding school. No city and no one had a clue where you’d gone after graduation. It didn’t make sense to me.”

“You never did not like getting answers,” Kiley commented.

“Even less now,” Allison said with a smile. “I was still trying to figure out my next move when Riker was taken into custody. I still didn’t know what had happened to you, and then my dad got sick. I had to return home to care for him.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.” It might have been several years, but she remembered Allison’s parents fondly.

“My dad ended up passing away, and a month later my mom did, too,” Allison said. “By the time I returned to the States, the entire territory was a mess and there was a new Alpha. The rumors about what you’d been through had gotten out and guilt ate me up. Instead of continuing my search, I chickened out and joined some of the other Pack members who came here.”

“I’m glad you did,” Kiley said sincerely. “You can’t blame yourself. There is no telling what would have happened to you if Riker had learned what you were up to. I’m glad you didn’t get caught.”

“Even after Riker had gone, I was still scared. I thought you must hate me.”

“No.” Kiley pressed Allison’s hand between hers. “Believe it or not, other people tried to help. They usually disappeared. I couldn’t live with myself if that had happened to you.” She glanced over at Austin before turning her attention once more to Allison. “I’m glad you ended up here.”

“Me, too.” Allison glanced between her and Austin as well. “I’m glad we both did. So, do you think we can hang out again?”

Kiley suddenly grew emotional. It had been barely over twenty-four hours and her life had completely changed. She’d found a territory she felt she belonged to. She also had a chance of having a family again. Austin wanted her and Ginger was already teasing her about being sisters. Now her oldest friend had come back into her life. It was so unbelievable. “Yes,” she managed.

“Thank you,” Allison whispered, hugging her tightly.

Kiley returned the embrace but had to pull away. She’d started to shake and needed a few minutes alone.

Austin rose, then reached for her. “Why don’t I show Allison out and break up the gathering? I’ve already spoken to everyone and they know to be careful and watch out for anything suspicious. I think we can end the party.”

“Sounds good,” she said, turning to stare out of the window. Several women had already started to clean up, so she didn’t feel guilty about Austin sending everyone home.

The door clicked closed and Kiley knew she was alone. She took a deep breath, but instead of it calming her, Kiley gasped. Tears fell and she collapsed onto the couch. Kiley pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them to bury her face.

Now that everything seemed to be coming together, Kiley didn’t know what to do. All she wanted was for Austin to come back and hold her. A small part of her was actually scared all of this was too good to be true. If she trusted what was happening and it was yanked away from her, Kiley didn’t think she’d survive.

Austin was impatient to get everyone out of his house so he could return to Kiley. Ginger peered over at him and frowned.

“What’s going on?”

“Nothing,” he assured her. “I think Kiley is overwhelmed. I want to check on her.”

“Well, go. I can handle this,” Ginger told him.

He glanced around and noticed only a few people remained. He spotted Brick and waved him over.

“What’s up?” Brick asked when he joined them.

“All the guards in place?” Austin asked.

“Yes, sir,” Brick said. “Schedule is posted and we’re covered. No one is going to get to our Pack.”

“Good,” Austin praised. “Will you help finish up here then make sure Ginger gets home safely?”

“Really?” Ginger asked.

Austin shook his head. “Please. I need to get back to Kiley, but I also need to make sure you’re safe.”

“Fine,” Ginger agreed. “Now go see to your woman.”

Austin was already heading in that direction. He’d hated to leave Kiley at all, but he knew she had needed time by herself. He was halfway across the living room when his cell rang. With a growl, he pulled his phone from his back pocket. Damn, it was Colt, so he had to take the call. “Hello?”

“Hey, Austin,” Colt said. “How’re things going?”

“Good,” Austin assured him. “We’re finishing up a Pack get-together so everyone knows to keep an eye out.”

“That’s great. I spoke to Cain and he doesn’t think you’re on anyone’s radar. The felines confessed they were following Tony. They only went after you and Kiley to scare Tony.”

Relief flooded Austin. He wouldn’t lower the lockdown or lessen the guards yet, but some of the stress left his body. He hadn’t really thought his Pack was at risk, but he couldn’t be sure. “That’s good. Has he gotten any more information from them?”

“They gave us a name. The Prince’s own family is responsible. They don’t want to go public and couldn’t get the Prince to change his mind. They were attempting to scare us and when that didn’t work, they went after the Prince.”

“Shit.” It was unbelievable that shifters would kidnap their own leader. “Have they found him?”

“No, not yet,” Colt said. “The Council representatives arrived and they’ll take the felines to the Council and help with the search. Right now, there isn’t much we can do but hope they find him safe, and soon.”

“So, you’re staying there in Tony’s territory?” Austin asked.

“Actually,” Colt said, “the Council wants Tony to go to California and I don’t think he should go alone. That’s a long trip for him to be without a guard.”

“I agree,” Austin said. “You should go with him.”

“Only if you don’t need me there.”

“We’re okay,” Austin said. “Tony needs you.”

“You’re still my Alpha.”

“I am. And I’ll always be your best friend.”

Colt cleared his throat. “Yeah.”

Austin knew his Beta struggled with the realization his life was changing. The same as Kiley. He would offer the same advice he planned to give Kiley. “You need to follow your heart. Trust your instincts.”

“I know,” Colt said quietly. “It’s just not easy to do.”

He chuckled. “It usually isn’t.”

“I’ll talk to Tony and let you know what our plans are. Maybe after we’re done in California, we can come back there. Tony still needs to meet with the other Alpha in Colorado, so we’ll be in the area.”

“I’d like that.”

“You haven’t given my room away, have you?” Colt joked.

“Of course not. And it will always be your room, even if you are never here.”

“Thanks, man.”

“You’re welcome,” Austin responded seriously. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

“Okay, bye.”

Austin sat for several moments, just enjoying knowing they were really safe. It would still be rough and stressful until the shifters came out and they knew for sure how humans would react. But Austin had time to prepare and get ready for that. In the meantime, he intended to show Kiley how much she was wanted and needed. He believed they’d already started by bringing her old Pack out to see and speak to her. He’d seen for himself how the newest members of his Pack finally began to open up as they saw for themselves that healing was possible. Kiley represented a strong symbol of hope. If she could rebuild her life, then so could they. It might take more time for everyone to understand Riker was no longer able to hurt them, but Austin was certain they’d get there.

He sprang up and hurried to the office where he’d left Kiley earlier. When he pushed the door open, he expected to see her visibly upset much like he’d left her. Instead, she was reclining on the couch with what looked like a fresh drink in her hand. Austin shut the door behind him.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yes.” She lifted the glass in his direction. “I had myself a good cry and wallowed, then took a deep breath so I can enjoy the changes in my life.”

“Really?” He was beyond shocked. Not that he didn’t think Kiley shouldn’t be happy, but he was surprised. “I guess giving you a minute actually helped.”

She laughed. “I did. I was sitting here sobbing and rocking myself and it reminded me of how I felt when Riker had me. I promised myself I would never be a victim again. If I let all this overwhelm me, that is exactly what I’d be doing.”

Austin strode over to the couch and sat next to her. She straightened out her legs to lay them over his.

“I think you’re amazing.”

“I wouldn’t go that far.”

“No, really,” Austin told her. He reached over, took her glass and drank down the rest of the whiskey.

She raised an eyebrow at him. “Thirsty?”

“Celebrating,” he corrected. “Colt called and doesn’t think there’s a real threat to the Pack. We’ll keep the extra guards on rotation, but I’m sure we’re safe.”

“Oh, God!” she said. “That is great!”

“Yeah,” Austin agreed. “Even better—Tyler’s Pack shouldn’t be in danger, either. The felines told Cain it was all just to scare Tony. With Tony out of the territory, there shouldn’t be any more problems. Even with his decision to go public when it’s time.”

Kiley nodded. “Jeez.” She placed her hand on her stomach. “I didn’t realize how twisted up I was inside until you told me that.”

Austin grinned at her. “That’s exactly how I felt.”

“What else do you feel?” she asked, while running the tip of her finger up the seam of his jeans.

“Well.” He wiggled around, stretching to place the glass on an end table. Then he gripped her waist and lifted her until she lay sprawled over his lap. “Let me show you.”

Kiley was giggling, but she immediately straddled him, bracing her legs on the couch. She rolled her hips and the friction over his cock caused a grunt to slip out of him.

“Oh, I feel you all right,” she teased.

With his hands on her thighs, Austin held her down while pushing up. His cock was so hard and he wanted to be buried deep inside her.

“Shit,” she hissed, dropping back her head.

Austin leaned forward, placed his lips over the slim column of her neck and began to kiss and nibble. He could still taste the soap from her shower earlier and the clean scent mixed with her natural flavor on his tongue aroused him further.

“Austin.” She panted out his name.

He stood, clutching her in his arms. She scrambled out of his hold to tug at his shirt. Austin yanked it over his head before she grabbed the bottom of her top and removed it as well.

“Get your pants off,” she ordered.

“You, too,” Austin replied.

It was a race to get naked. He toed off his shoes and bent down to remove his socks. Kiley struggled to get her jeans down her legs, but Austin easily climbed out of his and when he was done, stood aside to watch her until she’d finally removed all her clothes.

Kiley went down on her knees and grasped his cock.

“Baby,” he murmured, burying his hand in her hair.

“Just a little taste,” she said. Kiley lowered her mouth to his groin. First, she ran her tongue over the slit of his shaft before licking down the side.

It took everything in him not to hold her head still and thrust down her throat. Instead, he gritted his teeth as Kiley licked up the other side of his cock. When she reached the tip once again, this time she did take all of him inside her mouth.

Austin moaned, the warm suction making him draw out the sound. He peered down at her through half-opened eyes and saw what a beautiful picture she made. With her right hand wrapped around the base of his cock, she bobbed her head while staring up at him.

“Touch yourself, too,” he demanded. “I want to see.”

Very slowly, Kiley trailed her left hand down her own body until she was running her fingers over her clit then out of his view. He could tell the moment she pierced herself, sucking him deeper while humming.

Austin smiled before he placed both hands on her shoulders. He pressed his shaft deeper, then withdrew with care. He did it again, making sure he remained gentle, but slid almost down her throat with each thrust.

She was letting him control the rhythm and that made him feel powerful. He wasn’t taking anything from her. Kiley giving herself over to him was amazing. Allowing Austin to be in charge. To have such a strong, wonderful woman kneeling in front of him astonished him. He felt the first warnings that he was going to come and pulled out of her mouth.

“Up,” he said, holding out his hand to help her rise.

She withdrew her fingers before climbing to her feet. Austin tugged her into his arms to kiss her. He made love to her mouth like he wanted to do to her body. Kiley rose on tiptoe to tangle her tongue with his. Austin walked her backward until her knees hit the couch and they both went down.

With his lips still against hers, he rubbed his thumb in circles against her clit. She strained against him, spreading her legs wide, panting. Austin ran his thumb through her folds until he felt the wetness of her pussy.

“Please,” she cried, after ripping her mouth from his.

Austin lifted up enough so he could grasp his cock and position himself. He pressed inside with one long, smooth move.

Kiley arched as he entered her.

Up on his elbows, he peered down at her while his shaft throbbed inside her. “You’re mine,” he told her. “Just like I’m yours.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

That was all he needed to hear. Austin flexed his hips, pushing in before drawing back out. Then he thrust again. He was already so close to coming he knew it wouldn’t take him long.

Kiley stroked his back as she rode the waves of ecstasy. It was natural for the speed to pick up and his plunges to gain in strength. They moved in sync, their bodies sliding and grinding against each other’s. Austin closed his eyes and bucked and thrust.

She came, yelling out his name, and Austin remained driving forward until he was filling her with his cum. Instincts hit him hard, his wolf restless, as he claimed her in the most basic way.

A little dizzy, he collapsed on top of her and she gasped. He was probably too heavy, but Austin couldn’t move just then.

“Promise me you’ll do that every night,” she murmured against his neck.

“I swear,” he told her. “As long as you want me, I’ll give you everything I have.”

With a little hum of happiness, she nuzzled him.

Austin would keep his vow. He had his Pack. He had his family, friends and everything he could ever want. All he’d been missing was the woman who would complete him. The mate who he had been meant to find. He’d never imagined he’d find that person in a stubborn but caring Rogue, but he had. Kiley was his perfect match and no matter what they faced in the upcoming months with the shifters going public, he knew that together they could weather any storm.