Afflicted (7 page)

“And so what I did. I moved clear across the country and you know I needed space and I got it. My head is clear and I’m coming home.”

“Good it’ll be nice to have you back.”

Neither one of them said anything. With a sigh Viviane broke the silence.

“I miss the mall.”

“I’m not surprised. You are the one that decided it would be awesome to live somewhere that was lacking in civilization.”

“It hasn’t been so bad. It’s been peaceful.”

“What’s the plan?”

“What?”

“What is your plan? You know work, living situation, you know all the important stuff.”

“I know. I am working that all out. My condo is still being rented out. The guy has a two year lease with me but I’m sure I won’t have a problem finding a place. As far as a job I am going to do job applications when I get there but I am going to search and joint down some places that are hiring.”

“You can always come and stay with me and Skylar.”

“How is the little guy?”

“Jesus, his teacher is getting on my last nerve. He has been having more tantrums at school lately but he has been making improvements at speech therapy. He has been inventing these futuristic spaceships out of Legos. Some days he surprises me when he starts an actual conversation. And other days I can’t believe I have a kid with autism”

“It’s going to be good to see him again. Tell him his aunt will be visiting him real soon with some more Legos.”

“Yes bring all the Legos you can to this kiddo. It’s all about the Legos and that includes Lego movie.”

“Soon it’s going to me, the little guy, a giant bowl filled with popcorn possibly two bowls, and the Lego movie.”

“Oh you don’t know what you are asking for Vic. You are going to be stuck until the middle of the night watching it over and over. I know it by heart.”

“Hey the kid knows awesomeness when he sees it.”

Victoria and Viviane laughed.

Chapter Seven

T
hree days later Kaden had his beta, a delta, and an omega. Tristan Oates, David Hayes, and Adam Hayes were more than happy to help Kaden. Now that made two things Kaden had checked off his list. He felt good that he’d managed to also win the auction that had been over the weekend. Kaden was lucky he even got his hands on the properties. The area was good for hunting and a lot of hunters showed up from out of town for it. Kaden thought he was going to lose until he bid high enough that had everyone else backing off.  Some of the pack members were happy and he was the hero for the day but others were still wary of Kaden. He was expecting it and it came as no surprise. He wasn’t the least bit concerned about individuals extending nothing but guarded feelings towards him. Kaden guessed it was going to remain that way for a while. He didn’t mind it as long as no one did anything to jeopardize what he had set out to do.

Kaden walked into the living room with three beers in his hands. Adam, a stocky blue eyed, blond haired, twenty four old with sound maturity was Kaden’s beta, while twenty seven year old Tristan stepped into the shoes of a delta, and David Hayes the young nineteen year old brother of Adam was the omega. All three had the desire to see change happen, had the packs interest at heart, and were more than happy to contribute.

“We need to get these kids to go to the school in town. It’s too many of them running around wild. They need structure and an education. Morgan’s whack ass wasn’t enforcing any rules around here,” David stated.

“Yeah I forced my younger siblings to go. There is a world out there outside of these woods. If you can’t do the simple things like reading, writing, and adding you are done for. It takes more than just being able to fight and shift into a beast that can take anything down,” Tristan said as he popped a pile of skittles in his mouth.

“More importantly it’s about adapting. This isn’t the stone ages. We have to blend in. It’s the key to being able to co-exist as we do with the humans,” Adam voiced from his seat in the pale grey lazy boy.

“I was home schooled,” Kaden said as he handed over the beer to Tristan and Adam. “Mom did a good job by the way. I’ve made it on my own though once I left.”

“What was that like leaving the pack,” Tristan asked.

“It was peacefully for one thing. Up there in Alaska I helped this guy who was a wanderer start a business, a very lucrative business in the oil industry. Made a lot of money but the money really isn’t what’s important. I had freedom. Started working on a few of the oil rigs we got, it keeps me busy, and it’s better than being here to me.”

“I know you said you want to go back there and all that but why go back because you don’t seem to have much of a reason other than the money,” Adam asked.

Kaden frowned as he thought about Adam’s question. He’d left home because of Morgan and now he was dead. His duty was to the pack now that it was his time to lead but he was transferring that title over to Adam by the end of the summer. 

I have a job waiting for me and friends.

It’s was the only thing really Kaden back in Alaska besides the few friends and an ex-girlfriend named Nikki. She was a wanderer too who’d made Alaska her home just as Kaden had. They’d been off and on for three years. She was always pressuring Kaden to commit and make her his mate but that shit wasn’t happening. Nikki was super needy, jealous, and had a temper that Kaden quickly got tired of putting up with until he finally called it quits for good.

“Well my life is there. As I told you before I’m here to leave a stable pack and to turn it over to someone who can ensure it stays that way. I don’t want to be the alpha.”

“Honestly I am not going to lie I thought you were going to be another piece of shit like Morgan,” David said.

“Hey language,” Adam said as he tossed the beer cap at his brother. David laughed as he caught the beer cap.

“Yeah, well I wasn’t expecting people to think otherwise. People tend to expect the worse.”

“And imagine the reaction to the changes and rules we are bringing to the table. I suspect we are going to have a ton of people not liking it one bit. They are used to the chaos and nothing structure based.”

Everyone nodded their head agreeing with Tristan.

“Well we will deal it accordingly. We can’t expect to make every single person happy.  The goal is to do what needs to be done, should’ve been done, or else there is no point to having a pack, and a freaking leader.”

Tristan, Adam, and David nodded their head in agreement. All four of the men spent the day coming up with ideas and how to execute some of them.  Kaden didn’t know it but his beta, delta, and omega were already seeing him as a permanent leader. David was tasked with writing down everything. His job was more clerical but it was still an important position. Kaden made sure to send a text message to Rick thanking him for his input on having a team and recommending him people that wanted to actually do something.

They were so heavily absorbed in constructing their plan and joking around that no one hard the soft knocking at the front door. Only at the sound of a harder knock did Kaden break away to answer the door. Instantly his heart started to beat frantically after he opened the door to reveal Victoria. He was truly afflicted with desire and at this point fighting it was the farthest thing from his mind. Kaden hated admitting it but Rick was right. She was his mate.

“Oh,” she stated in a startled tone.

“Hello,” Kaden said with a wolfish grin on his lips.

She used her index finger to push her slipping eye glasses up her nose. After clearing her throat she spoke.

“I- I am here to drop off my last rent payment. Here this is for Mrs. Wright.”

Victoria held out her hand with a sealed white envelope. Kaden looked down at the hand and marveled at how soft her skin looked.

Shit! No don’t go there Kaden. Think baseball. Cease thinking about kissing her wrist and licking it.

“Can you give this to her?”

Kaden blow out a shaky breath. He didn’t get this extreme need to fuck. Rick could have told him about that part. The man knew and didn’t say a damned thing but laugh.

“Yes, I will make sure she gets this,” Kaden said as he yanked the envelope out her of hand. He mumbled an apology as he held his breath. Her scent smelled even more enticing. It seemed to get stronger with each passing day.

“I wanted to let you know I appreciated the refund of my three hundred bucks.” Victoria blew out a frustrated sigh. “And I wanted to apologize for being rude to you when you expressed remorse for being late. Thanks for the rose as well.”

The rose was a last minute decision he’d made while stopped at a gas station to refill his tank. He was never the type to buy such things. Something made him pick up the rose. Kaden wanted to see her happy and the desire was overwhelmingly strong. He’d stayed awake last night thinking of excuses to see her again, to woo her, and keep her by his side. He wanted to know everything there was to know about her and wanted her acceptance. So many questions swirled in his mind. Would she accept the supernatural being that he was? Could she ever love the man and the beast? Would she be willing? There were so many questions. Too many damned
questions!

Hell I was surprised the gas station was even selling those roses.

“It was nothing,” Kaden said as he rubbed the back of his neck. Suddenly he felt nervous or maybe it was just butterflies. His stomach certainly felt funny. It was a sensation totally new to him.

Damn it Rick was right about this. I can’t even find the strength to fight this.

“Yes and totally nice. I’m really sorry for my reaction. You went out of your way to fix my front door that had been vandalized by some creep. How did you know who did it? I mean you said something about them not bothering me anymore.”

“Oh um well…I overheard a conversation and the culprits were boasting about their actions. I probably didn’t have to kick their ass about it.”

“You did what?”

“Sorry I just overreacted.”

“Perhaps but I’m kind of thinking they deserved it but realistically I would like them in jail for what they did.”

“Trust me they won’t be pulling
shenanigans like that again.”

“I suppose you deserve another thank you”

Kaden chuckled as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. He didn’t want another thank you at the moment. More than anything he wanted her love, loyalty, her body, and to mark her as his mate. His eyes slid down to her neck, finding a beating vein in the place where his teeth would sink in, and transcendentally symbol their union. It was the way for a male shifter to stake his claim on what was his. It was completely natural and Kaden was excited at the thought of making that mark.

I have to make her mine.

Without question Kaden wasn’t going to stop pursuing his mate and at that moment the chase began. The pure idea made Kaden extremely horny.

“You should really have dinner with me,” Kaden said, as he folded his arms, and casually leaned against the doorframe. Her eyes went wide as she looked him directly in the eyes.

“No,” she stated firmly.

“Why are you saying no? I don’t bite,” Kaden drawled out low.

Damned if I don’t want to. Mark you as mine.

“Oh stop looking at me like that.”

“Like what,” Kaden inquired with a smile on his lips.

She ran a hand through her hair and Kaden noticed her cheeks changing color.

“Nothing just overlook that I said that,” she mumbled.

“It’s just dinner. There is this place in town called The Redbird. I’ve never ate there believe it or not considering I grew up in this town but I’d like to go.”

Victoria laughed and tossed him a frown.

“For someone who grew up in this town you’ve seriously haven’t been there.” Victoria looked at him questioningly.

“Nope, my father didn’t like me going into town too much and he limited my time in town or else I got punished. And since he isn’t around to throw a fit plus I’m a grown ass man I’d like to go but only if you join me.”

“You know I really love the food at The Redbird. You have no idea what you’ve been missing.”

“I can only imagine. So come with me? I won’t refuse your apologies if you come with me. It’s just food and maybe some wine or water.”

“Fine, meet me there tomorrow night at eight.”

“I will be there.”

“Alright I’m going to go now,” she said as she quickly turned around and headed for her car.

“See you there,” Kaden said as he straightened, his arms falling back down to his sides.

“I have to get out of here before the next thing I know I’ll be talked out of my panties,” she mumbled.

You without your panties…damn that sounds really good to me.

Kaden tried not to laugh or give away that he heard what she’d just whispered. He waited until her car disappeared out of sight before he walked back into the house. It hit him that tomorrow night he was going to have dinner, alone with her, and he wanted to have more time than just tomorrow. Kaden was over the moon. He couldn’t wait. Kaden still had a smile on his face as he walked back into the house.

David was standing by the window looking outside with a grin on his face.

“So what’s next,” Kaden said as he dropped down in his seat.

              David turned around to face Kaden.

“So you got the hot’s for that chick,” David asked as he wiggled his eyebrows.

Kaden growled. He didn’t want to be asked questions like that.

“Hey man chill Adam’s mate is human.”

“Shut the fuck up David.” Adam stood up and charged over in his brother’s direction to smack him on the back of the head.

“Your mate is human,” Kaden inquired.

“Yeah and I had no plans on telling anyone,” Adam said as he glared at his brother.

“Chill out Adam. Kaden doesn’t seem like he has a problem with that considering he likes that little sweet thing that was at the door.”

Tristan sat in his seat laughing.

              “Seriously your mate is human,” Kaden said as he straightened his posture.

Adam shrugged his shoulders.

“Look she isn’t going to go babbling about us to anyone. We’re safe, but yes her name is Melody, and we’ve been together for the past two years secretly,” David confessed. “You know how some shifters are towards humans. I don’t want to keep hiding who my mate is and I hope it’s not a problem.”

“Your mate is your mate.”

This is good to know. Adam has a human for a mate. Its conformation I’m not alone.

Kaden picked up his beer and guzzled the beverage.

“That’s what Adam and I have been telling him so he can stop feeling so fucking conflicted about hiding his mate. Who gives a shit that she isn’t like the rest of us? A mate is a mate end of conversation,” Tristan said, adding his own opinion. “Screw anyone that wants to act prejudice about it.”

“This is good to know. Rick said he knew of shifters having humans as a mate and to know that you have one is all the better because Victoria is mine.”