Bryce Evans (5 page)

“
Not so fast, pretty girl.  You have to see the bedroom and kitchen next,” Jacob said as he nudged Lexy to walk toward the door beside the TV. 

Lexy opened the bedroom door and couldn
’t believe her eyes.  Sitting underneath a window was a queen-sized bed with a dark cherry wood frame.  The bedspread was green with different fall colors throughout.  It looked to be soft and plush as feathers.  At the side of the bed was a dark cherry wood dresser.  On top of the dresser was a big box that had been stained a lighter cherry color.  Lexy opened it up and found that it was a jewelry box.  It appeared to be old and had to belong to someone else.  She was afraid to touch it any further in case she dropped it or damaged it in any way.  Jacob came and stood beside Lexy as she softly closed the box. 

“
It belonged to Mace’s mother, Olivia McDonald.  Mace inherited it when she died.  He thought it would look good here and wants you to use it to put your jewelry in,” Jacob said. 

“
I can’t use that.  What if I dropped it or damaged it?  I couldn’t live with that, Jacob.  Why would he let me use it?  That belongs to his mother and now him; it’s a family heirloom.  That needs to be handed down to his mate so it can be passed down generation to generation,” Lexy said, confused and nervous. 

“
He owns this property, Lexy, and he thought it needed to be used and cherished by someone who would take care of it.  He would be offended if you tried to give that back to him.  You are pack and you are now family to him, so he is passing it down to family,” Jacob pointed out to her. 

Lexy looked up at Jacob with tears in her eyes. 
“I feel like I have fallen down the rabbit hole and I will wake up again with my plain, boring life.  I’ve never been around people so willing to help each other.  Plus gifting them with cherished gifts.”  Lexy laughed as she wiped the tears off her face while she touched the jewelry box. 

“
Not a rabbit hole, but maybe a wolf hole.”  Jacob and Lexy laughed at his joke.  “You see, Lexy, that's why so many people are asking to join the Ashland Pack.  They are good people who protect and care for their pack. The Alpha and this pack are known throughout the other packs. I never would leave my pack.  That is why I chose to stay here instead of following my cousin to college.  I can learn from those who have already been there and I’m taking classes on line so I don’t have to leave.  I would miss my pack too much.  I have a great job and now you do, too.  We will be working for Adrianna, which is great by the way.”  Jacob was going to continue but stopped talking.  “Listen I can talk all day.  How about I finish after you have seen everything and we get you unpacked, so let’s finish the tour first.  Here is the only bathroom.”  Jacob pointed to a small bathroom that actually had a small shower and a huge bathtub inside of it.  There was a small sink and toilet but that was it—and it was absolutely perfect.  Lexy touched everything in the bathroom, making sure she burned it to her memory. 

Jacob leaned over and extended his elbow to Lexy. 
“After you, my lady.”  Lexy giggled as she took Jacob’s arm and he escorted her back to the living room area.  “Over there is your kitchen.  It is small, but you have a stove, refrigerator, sink and microwave—courtesy of me.”  Lexy touched the microwave then smiled at Jacob.  “Look I was given one when I moved out for the first time and since I live at Adrianna’s you can have it, because if you don’t then it will just sit and rot.  However, if you have to pay me for it, then I will take dinner or split a pizza with me instead.” 

Lexy smiled and extended her hand to Jacob. 
“Deal.”  Jacob and Lexy shook hands, laughing and smiling. 

Lexy looked over and saw one more door at the back of the small cottage. 
“What is that door to?” 

Jacob looked at where Lexy was pointing. 
“Ahh, you have a good eye.  That leads to your backyard.” 

Lexy stopped smiling and ran to the door, opening it and stepping out into a yard that was littered with leaves and overgrown vines.  A small swing sat facing the woods behind the cottage.  She noticed the wild flowers were growing everywhere as she walked over to the swing.  She smiled as she slowly sat down in the swing, looking out into the woods.  Jacob came and
joined her.

***

Several hours later, all the rooms in the house had been painted.  New carpet had been installed and the house smelled like new paint and bleach.  Reece knew he needed to let his wolf out to run since his wolf had been trying to claw itself out when he pulled up in the driveway and had seen the beauty of the woods behind the house. 

Reece and Damen were putting the finishing touches on Star
’s bedroom walls, when Reece dropped a screwdriver. 

“
You okay, man?” Damen asked concerned. 

Reece
’s eyes were glowing yellow.  “Yeah.  I just need to run.  It’s been over a two weeks and my wolf has seen the woods and wants to explore and make sure everything is safe.”

Damen laughed. 
“Well get going then.  I will stay here with Star and then Jack and I can put together your bed next.  He went to the store to get more paint for the outside.  I have another crew coming over tomorrow to finish with painting the outside.”

“
Damen, I can’t thank you enough for what you are doing for me and Star.  I will repay you some day.  I wish there was something I could do for you guys right now,” said Reece.

“
Well maybe you can.  I need to talk to the Alpha before I commit, but I believe your training will come in handy to the pack,” Damen told him.

“
You mean a job?” asked Reece.

“
Yep, but first I need to discuss it with Mace,” replied Damen.

“
Man, really that is great.  I don’t even know what to say,” Reece said surprised.

“
Well don’t say anything at all.  Just go in the backyard, strip, and let your wolf out,” chuckled Damen.

Reece nodded as he left the room.  He couldn
’t believe this pack.  No wonder his CO suggested it to him.  Jackie Bennett said that Mace McDonald was the best damn Alpha he had ever seen.  Jack had shared some missions with Mace and they had become good friends with him.  Jack had kept tabs on him through the years and since Mace had taken over the pack, it had grown by leaps and bounds.  Plus, Jack couldn’t say enough about how he ran the pack, making it one of the richest packs in the United States. 

Reece spoke with Star to make sure she was okay to be without him
for a while, then he stripped down in his backyard and let his wolf out.  It felt great as his wolf ran through the woods sniffing the different scents.  His wolf was happy, it felt safe and no threats were in sight. Reece knew he had ran a while when he smelled the sweet scent drifting through the air.  Strawberries and caramel was his favorite dessert. Reece’s wolf knew immediately that such a scent belonged to his mate.  As he followed the scent, Reece drew closer and closer to the edge of the wood line.  He could see the little cottage sitting on the edge of the property. 

He crept closer until his wolf
’s eyes focused on the most beautiful woman he had ever seen.  She had the sexiest hair, curly hair with distinctive ringlets in a corkscrew shapes that drifted around her heart-shaped face.  Her brown hair bounced and shimmered as she looked up at the cottage. This woman fit every damn fantasy he ever had.  He was instantly attracted to this woman.  He didn’t like one bit the other wolf sitting next to her, but he didn’t know if she was already mated.  She wasn’t a shifter, her scent did not carry the wolf’s particular scent, but she wasn’t human either.  He didn’t know her but since he just arrived in the pack that was no surprise. 
She could be that man’s mate
, Reece thought.  Reece, the man, felt conflicted because of his sister, but his wolf only knew that this woman was his mate.

***

Mace sat watching Lexy touch everything her eyes saw.  His wolf wanted her badly, as he smelled her intoxicating scent of strawberries and caramel that called to him.  He watched from the woods as she sat down on the swing smiling, and then watched as Jacob sat down beside her.  He wanted to rip Jacob apart for standing beside her.  He loved Jacob, he was pack and Mace growled at himself because of it. 
He
wanted to go to her and stand beside her, but he held himself back knowing she was frightened of him.  Instead he laid down as he listened to Lexy and Jacob talk. 

Mace could feel the wolf sitting opposite of him in the woods.  He knew it had to be the new guy, Reece Phillips, sitting, watching Jacob and Lexy.  Damen had told him that he was moving in today, but for some reason Mace didn
’t feel threatened which felt odd since he was jealous of Jacob and he loved Jacob.  Mace didn’t feel the wolf was going to harm anyone.  He just sat there staring out at Jacob and Lexy.

***

“Do you have a green thumb, Lexy?” Jacob asked as he looked out toward the woods.  He knew his Alpha was out there and another wolf.  He could sense him and feel his eyes on Lexy.  Jacob didn’t understand why Mace wouldn’t approach the cottage.  He knew his Alpha was a great man and very generous.  He knew he needed to talk to his Alpha later and find out who the other wolf was.  Jacob knew if Mace felt like Lexy or he was in trouble, Mace would take him out.  Jacob kept an eye on the other wolf just in case.

“
Ever since I was a child I could plant flowers or trees and they would grow.  I love digging in the dirt.  I love nature and nature loves me, too, I guess.  I know it sounds crazy but the trees talk to me—or at least I feel like they do.”  Lexy looked over at Jacob wondering why he was quiet.  She feared he thought she was a freak saying outlandish things about the trees talking to her.

“
You need to go to Adrianna’s house then if you want to see nature at its finest.  Adrianna can talk to the trees and they communicate with her,” Jacob told her. 

Lexy squinted her eyes at Jacob. 
“I…what did you say?”

“
Adrianna, The Trinity, can talk to the trees and they talk back to her.  I’m not joking so you will need to see it for yourself.  Because I still can’t believe it sometimes either,” said Jacob. 

Lexy didn
’t call Jacob a liar because she had heard rumors about the Trinity and her powers. 
I hope that is true.  I don’t want to be the only freak of nature.
 

Jacob and Lexy
sat on the swing for a few minutes, quietly swinging.  Lexy closed her eyes as the wind blew her curly hair across her face and she inhaled the many fragrant scents from the wild flowers.

“
Okay, let’s get your stuff inside so we can order some pizza, because I’m hungry as a wolf.”  Lexy titled her head back and laughed as she had never laughed before.  Jacob snickered and got up from the swing.  He held his hand down to Lexy helping her up as they walked back into the cottage. He liked Lexy.  He felt the need to protect her, like he would if he had a little sister.

***

Mace sat there enjoying finding out about Lexy when she was carefree like she was with Jacob.  He would have to ask Jacob if he wanted Lexy or was really only friendship he wanted.  Mace waited until the other wolf left before he went back home. He couldn’t hide the feeling of jealousy but he knew in his heart that Jacob was only being friendly.  He hated that Lexy was scared of him but not Jacob.  Mace would speak with Damen about the new members and promised himself to ask him about this Reece.

***

Reece watched as the man and woman talked about the Trinity and her ability to talk to the trees.  His unit had heard about her, but the CO was tight-lipped about Adrianna McDonald and her powers.  Reece knew he had been gone a long time and he needed to get back to his sister.  He knew something was up with this woman since another wolf watched the man and woman.  Reece needed answers and when he got back to his house, he would ask Damen about the woman and the wolves.  Reece quietly backed up and headed back to the house.  All Reece continued to hear was his wolf telling him, ‘
Protect her
.’

***

Jacob and Lexy walked back out the front door to her car that was packed with boxes.  She opened up the trunk and said to Jacob, “Just put them on the bed and I will unpack my clothes.” 

Jacob looked toward the big house sensing Mace had walked back to his house and the other wolf had gone in the other direction.

Mace couldn
’t help the anger he felt toward Jacob.  He didn’t know why he was even mad at him.  Jacob was a good wolf, wouldn’t harm anyone, and he was the one to ask him to help Lexy move in.  Jacob was nineteen years old and he was a good wolf. Mace hurried back to his house and took a shower then got dressed.  He was starving and was just going to cook himself a steak but after looking in the cabinets and the refrigerator, his anger at Jacob increased.  Nothing, not even a cracker was in his cabinets, so he walked outside and stood on the front porch watching Jacob and Lexy take boxes inside the cottage.  Mace thought back to all the wonderful times Cade and he had at the cottage.  They brought so many women in that cottage.  The cottage where he lost his virginity.  Mace didn’t even realize he was walking over to the cottage when he looked down inside Lexy’s vehicle.  She had her ass in the air as she was stretching to retrieve something from under the front seat.  Mace immediately went hard looking at her ass.  ‘
Mate, Mate,’
his wolf howled.  He was about to reach out and grab it when he heard Jacob approach him from behind.

“
So how is the cottage?” asked Mace. 

Lexy jerked up, hitting her head on the steering wheel. 
“Ouch, dammit.”  Lexy reached up and grabbed her head, holding it, feeling as if it had split into two.

“
Sorry for scaring you, Lexy,” Mace said sheepishly, letting Lexy know he didn’t intend for her to get hurt.  He reached down to touch her head, but Lexy pulled away from him. 

Jacob walked over and looked down at Lexy. 
“Are you okay, Lexy?” 

Mace looked over at Jacob
as if he could rip him in two. 

“
Yeah, I’m fine.”  Lexy struggled to get to her feet as Mace reached out to try to help her, but Jacob was already there extending his hand and helping her up.  Mace blew out a long breath because he was frustrated at Jacob for touching Lexy.  ‘
Our mate
,’ his wolf insisted.

Lexy was still holding her hand to her head as she narrowed her eyes at Mace when she heard him exhale. 

“Just wanted to check on you.”  Mace walked off before Lexy could respond. 

Lexy and Jacob stood there watching Mace walk away to the other house huffing and puffing, muttering under his breath.

“What is up with him?” Lexy asked as she pulled her hand down to see if her head was bleeding. 

“
I don’t know.  He really is a good guy. He is acting kinda strange for some reason,” Jacob said confused. 

Lexy turned around and grabbed her cell phone that had fallen under her seat. 

“Is that everything?” Jacob asked Lexy.

“
Yep, it looks like it is.  Are you hungry yet?” asked Lexy.

“
Lexy, I’m a big bad wolf and we are always hungry,” Jacob joked with her. 

Lexy started laughing. 
“Big bad wolf, huh?  Well let’s hope you won’t try to eat Little Red Lexy, okay, hot stuff.” 

Jacob started laughing as they walked back in the house. 
“Then I’m ordering the pizzas.  Tell me, Little Red Lexy, what do you like on your pizza?”

“
Well, hot stuff, I like meat of any kind and mushrooms are great, too,” she responded.

“
Okay well I like all that, too, so I will order three pizzas with that on them while you go and unpack your clothes.” 

Lexy saluted Jacob as she walked into her bedroom while Jacob ordered the pizzas.

***

Reece changed back feeling as if he was a changed man.  He never felt better than the times he allowed his wolf to run free for a while.  He changed quickly then trotted into a house filled with laughter. 

“Hey, what’s going on in here?” Reece said as he walked into the kitchen.  He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.  The kitchen had been put together with a table and chairs.  The walls and ceiling had been freshly painted. 
It was great
.  Wildflowers were placed in vases sitting on the table and the counter.  Pictures that he had never seen were already on the wall.  Star, Damen, and Josh were sitting at the table playing cards.  A woman he had never seen before was cooking at the stove.  The kitchen smelled heavenly and as Reece inhaled the scent, it hit him.  He was now a grownup with a sister he had to raise and he had finally found a home with friends that felt more like family. 

The woman turned around, smiling at Reece. 
“Hello, I’m Nancy Johnson and I’m mated to Josh.  I hope you don’t mind.  I brought my famous spaghetti sauce.  I knew you guys would be too tired to cook.  Hope you don’t mind that we made ourselves at home.”  Nancy could see the emotions rolling across Reece’s face.  She knew he was a prideful man, like most Alpha males, but she could tell that Reece was different.  He was a powerful Alpha who held it back.  Nancy stuck out her hand to shake Reece’s hand, but Reece felt emotional and hugged Nancy instead. 

He whispered in her ear,
“Thank you, Nancy.  I won’t forget your kindness and generosity.”  Nancy hugged Reece back then nodded, letting Reece know she understood.  She wiped a tear from her eye then turned back around to stir the sauce.

“
Okay, Reece, if you will go wash your hands, and if you guys will help bring the food to the table, we can eat.”  Reece walked over to the sink and washed his hands as Star cleared the table while Damen and Josh carried the huge bowls of spaghetti, salad, and bread to the table. 

Everyone sat down at the table, smiling because Damen and Josh knew how good of a cook Nancy was. 
“Okay, everyone, I hope you’re hungry.  I made enough to feed a pack of wolves,” Nancy said and laughed along with the others at the table.

“
Hey, Damen, who owns the small cottage on the other side of this property?” Reece asked.

Damen grinned.  He must have seen Mace or Lexy.  She was moving in today. 
“That is the Alpha’s property.  He lives in the big house but another new member to the pack has just moved in.  Her name is Lexy Redden.  She is actually a member of the Ashland Pack and a member of the Ward Clan.” 

‘
Our mate,’
his wolf spoke.  Reece narrowed his eyes knowing it was unheard of for someone to be members of a werewolf pack and a vampire clan. 
Dammit, I knew it, she is taken already
, Reece thought.

“
You see, Lexy and her mother, Mary Redden, have been members of the Ward Clan for many years.  Mary is a powerful witch and has helped Samson’s family over the years.  They took them in and became like family to them.  Mary met her true mate after Lexy’s father left. His name is Peter, he is a werewolf, and needed to be with a pack.  Samson’s mother had told them about us and here they are.  Plus Mary knew the clan was moving to Ashland, too.  It was a win-win for them,” Damen informed Reece.

“
So Lexy is a witch, too?” Reece inquired.

“
They say she is more powerful than her mother, and from what Selena has told me, she has yet to tap into her powers.  Why?  Did you come across her?” asked Damen.

“
Yeah, I saw her and another wolf with her,” Reece growled out.  

“
That’s Jacob Cord.  He is also part of the pack and he is Adrianna’s assistant.  He is a good kid.  Well I guess he isn’t a kid anymore, but he is a great guy.  Smart as a whip, too.  He can do anything with a computer,” answered Damen.

“
I also saw a wolf sitting in the woods where the cottage is.  I think it might have been Mace.  The vibes he was sending me made me think it was him,” Reece said, trying to gauge Damen’s reaction.

Damen grinned. 
So Mace is watching from the woods.  Shit, he has gotten desperate.  Now I know I need to get this going with Mace and Lexy
.  Damen laughed on the inside knowing he couldn’t say what he was thinking to everyone sitting at the table. 

“
What’s so funny?” Reece asked Damen, who was smiling like the Cheshire cat.

“
Nothing.  Just something I need to do later. So, Reece, you need to come out with me tonight to the Pub and meet some of the people in the pack.  You deserve a break after your move today,” Damen said.

“
Thanks, Damen, but I can’t leave Star here by herself and it’s our first night here,” Reece said with a frown. 

“
Nonsense, Reece.  We will stay until you get home tonight.  I’ve got my homemade apple pie in the oven and I just bet Star will want to play a good game of Monopoly with us,” said Nancy. 

Star looked over at Reece, who was smiling.

“Star, what do you think?” asked Reece.  Star was already nodding her head yes.  Reece could tell Star missed their mom and Nancy was motherly, so he couldn’t say no to her. 
Great, now I can find out more about our mate.  At least I hope she isn’t taken already.  Being a witch, she may not understand our ways. 
Reece shrugged at the thought of not being able to have his mate.

“
Okay.  Do we have time for me to take a shower and change?” asked Reece.

“
Yes you do.  I need to take one myself and I always keep spare clothes in the truck so if I can use Star’s shower, we can leave from here,” said Damen.

“
Sounds like a plan.”  Everyone sat and ate another plate of Nancy’s famous spaghetti then another plate and then another.  Damen sat back in his seat, rubbing his stomach.

“
Nancy, you have outdone yourself.  That was fantastic, woman, and, Josh, you are a lucky man.”  Josh grinned, and reached out and held Nancy’s hand.  Everyone could see the love the two wolves shared together.

“
Okay, guys, go get ready while Josh, Star, and I get down to a competitive game of Monopoly.  Get your game face on, Star, because Josh cheats.”  All the men laughed except Star.

“
You really don’t cheat, do you, Josh?” asked Star, wide-eyed. 

Josh smiled then with a wicked grin replied,
“Nah, Nancy just can’t beat me so she says I cheat.”

“
Yeah I bet, but just in case, I’m keeping my eyes on you throughout the game,” said Star with a grin. 

Josh laughed as Damen and Reece walked out of the kitchen then hearing some giggles as they went to take separate showers.

***

Mace got into his truck and pealed out of his driveway heading toward the Pub.  He needed to release some energy and he knew just the girl to do that with.  Penny Nugent was the girl that Mace had a good time with.  She liked to party and just plain old fucking without complication. 
He hasn’t seen Penny in a while and hoped she would be at the Pub tonight.  Mace wanted to get rid himself of these feelings for Lexy.

***

Lexy stood at her dresser, looking down into the beautiful jewelry box Mace left for her to use.  The box had designs carved into the box on both sides.  It was different and eccentric, too.  She thought it looked like something one would see on a TV show involving witches.  She couldn’t understand why Mace would let her use it since it was his dead mother’s; she had heard how close the McDonalds were with each other.  Nervously, she placed her gold chain and diamond earrings that her mom and Peter had given her for her birthday into the jewelry box.  It was an extravagant gift and she absolutely loved it.  She knew how long Peter had to save to buy the set for her, never having gotten any kind of real jewelry before because they couldn’t afford it.  She had cried all day when they gave it to her.

“
Pizza’s here.”  Lexy heard Jacob yell, so she carefully closed the box with her jewelry in it and walked into the living room.  Jacob had taken two plates out and had placed two pieces of pizzas on it.  She watched as Jacob practically slid the whole piece of pizza in his mouth and swallowed.

“
Holly crap, Jacob, did you just inhale that pizza or what?”  Lexy laughed as Jacob shrugged his shoulders, laughing at her expression. 

“
I told you, Little Red, that werewolves eat a lot and real fast.  I’m starving from helping you unpack,” Jacob said chuckling. 

“
Something tells me, hot stuff, that you eat like this all the time,” Lexy said, teasing him.

“
Well you would be correct, Little Red.  Actually, I can’t call you Little Red since your hair isn’t red so I will call you Little Brown instead.  What do you think, Little Brown?”  Jacob laughed.

“I think you’re crazy but I guess I will answer to it.”  Lexy leaned over and elbowed Jacob, letting him know she appreciated him being her friend.

“
What shall we watch tonight?  This is movie night so we will always think of Wednesday night as movie night,” Jacob said as he inhaled another piece of pizza.

“
Umm, Jacob?”  Lexy looked over at Jacob with tears in her eyes.

“
What’s wrong, Little Brown?” Jacob asked with concern in his voice. 

Lexy blinked as the tears fell down her face. 
“Thank you for being my first friend ever.”