Alphas on the Prowl (33 page)

Marcia sat back in her seat and sighed. She believed him—well at least trusted he wasn’t going to drag her back to some pack kicking and screaming.

She licked her lips.
How much should I tell him?
“I escaped a similar situation.”

“Do you have family here too?” Declan asked.

Marcia pursed her lips and leaned forward meeting his gaze. “Why are you so interested in whom I’m with?”

Declan cleared his throat. “That’s not what I meant.”

“That’s how I see it,” she commented. Heat flared over her cheeks. It shouldn’t matter whom she was with unless he was plotting something.
You met his sister earlier. Why would he want to endanger her or challenge you?
He doesn’t seem the type
.

Declan ran a hand through his hair, sending it up into spikes. “I’m doing a horrible job introducing myself,” he admitted. “I’m sorry. There was something about your scent that just… and I wanted to talk to you… I don’t really know… I’m sorry,” he stumbled.

Marcia toyed with a lock of hair.
Is he trying to flirt with me? Does he feel the intense connection too? Or am I being silly? Maybe I’m getting close to my heat cycle. He’s an enforcer. He’s not used to being around female wolves—not in this capacity. Now I’m mumbling like an idiot. At least it’s in your head.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable. I find myself mesmerized by your perfume, and I wanted to get to know you,” he continued.

Marcia inhaled sharply. Her body shook with anticipation. He feels it too.” I’d like to get to know you too,” she admitted. That didn’t mean she was ready to tell him everything. But there was something about Declan.

“Good,” he sighed, relaxing into his seat.

“I’ve been free for a while now, and now that I’ve tasted freedom, I don’t want to go back to pack life,” Marcia whispered honestly. The pack would have to kill her first.

“I followed James and his father for years. Bray and I questioned his choices at times—some of the other wolves too but we were too scared to stop him. James doesn’t take disobedience well. I’ve seen firsthand the abuse he dishes out to people who don’t follow his rules, and no wolf wants to live on their own in this world. It makes me sick to think what we did. Rhea… that was the final straw,” Declan said through clenched teethe.

Marcia sipped her coffee. She understood his dilemma; living on your own wasn’t easy
. I need a better understanding of him and his family.
“May I ask what Rhea’s condition is?” Marcia questioned.

Declan nodded his face grim. “My parents died shortly after Rhea turned five. There was a hunting accident. Somehow hunters got onto our lands and they killed six wolves before the pack was able to respond. Bray and I are much older than Rhea and have raised her since their death.” He scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “Rhea is in remission, but she has Leukemia. If she weren’t born a wolf, she’d be dead. I’m not sure how she survived all the chemo and drugs she took as a kid. If she’d been born a boy the pack would’ve let her die. But because she’s a female, James made sure he found a doctor who would treat her and use discretion. Rhea hasn’t had a heat cycle yet, and when they took her to the doctor they determined she was likely infertile due to the treatments she had as a child.”

“And they intended to mate her anyway,” Marcia shook her head appalled. Alphas were sick.

“After the investment they made into her treatment, they figured they may as well let the men have their way with her.” Declan balled his fists. “We couldn’t let that happen to her. It’s bad enough women forced to mate with one man—but the entire pack…”

Marcia trailed her finger along the rim of her cup. “It’s amazing how far the humans have come with regard to equal rights, but the packs are still stuck in the stone ages.”

“The wolves are comfortable, and we are raised to accept that way of life. Something drastic would have to happen before anything changed,” Declan spoke. He tapped his fingers on the table. Snapping his head up, he met her eyes. “Enough about that. We’ve abandoned that life and stated new.” He took a long swig of his soda and then set his cup on the table. “Do you run in the park often?”

“I have several places I run. It depends where I am in the city on my running days. I’m an event coordinator, so I’m all over the place,” Marcia explained.

“So you understand the subways?” Declan grinned.

“I do,” Marcia chuckled.
I know where this conversation’s going
.

“We tried them one day… it was an experience,” he admitted.

“It’s a bit confusing at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to travel the city with ease,” Marcia explained.

“The big city is a lot different than small town Culpeper, Virginia. More people live in the apartment complex we stay in than did in the entire city back home,” Declan replied. “How do you adjust to the noise?”

Their hearing was sensitive; they heard everything sharper, crisper than humans did. “It was hard,” she began. “At first, I had to sleep with headphones on and listen to music. After a few months, I conditioned myself to differentiate the sounds. Now, I only pay attention to the sounds in and around my apartment.”

“That’s your apartment building across the street?” Declan asked.

Marcia sucked in a deep breath.
Great. He knows exactly where I live.

“I only ask because the complex looks really nice. When we took off, we only had a few dollars in our pockets, and we’ve barely been scarping by,” Declan went on. “We’ve been able to get money for the most part though I’m not proud of the way we do it. But getting a job is next to impossible without the proper papers, and we can’t use our legal ones or the pack will find us.”

“I didn’t have anything when I started out either. My friend and I escaped together, and we had to build lives for ourselves. It’s not easy,” Marcia whispered. She and Astrid had barely made it the first year on their own, but they’d been determined and had finally figured out how to make a life for themselves. “I can help set you up with the man who made my ID and got me a social security number. He usually asks for odd things for payment so that shouldn’t be an issue. I would get a couple ID’s made. It doesn’t hurt to have backups.”

“You sound like you’ve been doing this a while?”

Marcia nodded. “Years. I’m happy to help you out anyway I can,” she paused as she dug into her purse and pulled out a card. “I have a meeting with a client soon, but call me. We can get together again sometime.” She handed her card over the table. Declan’s calloused fingers brushed over hers as he accepted the paper.
I’d love to feel his hands on my body.
Heat shot through her fingers and down to her core. She shifted in the booth.
Why do I keep having this reaction to him? It’s been too long since I’ve been around an attractive male werewolf. Get yourself together.

She shot up from her seat, hugging her coffee cup to her chest. “I’ll see you soon then.”

“Sure.” Declan stood up too, motioning for her to lead the way. “Thanks for talking to me. I hope I didn’t weird you out.”

Weird her out—not anymore. Turn her on—definitely. She flustered as another wave of desire coursed over her. I have to get out of here. “I’ll see you around.” Marcia waved and then spun on her heel and trotted to the door.

Declan’s mesmerizing scent lingered in the air, and she fought the urge to turn around and rush back to him. The overwhelming attraction baffled her. No wolf had ever bothered her like this. What is it about Declan?

Chapter Three

“How long are you going to stare at that card before you call her?” Bray asked as he munched on a chip.

Declan glared at his brother who was sprawled across the couch. He’d stare at it as long as he wanted. His fingers twitched.
Why can’t I pick up the phone and call her? I know I want to.
He tapped the card on the counter as he contemplated.

“Do it already.” Bray tossed a chip at him. “Your indecision is making me uneasy.”

“Knock it off, Bray,” Rhea called as she strolled into the front room. The one bedroom apartment they shared was tiny. Rhea had the only bedroom. Declan shared the tiny living room with Bray. It was all they could afford. Hopefully not for long, close confines with his siblings was driving him insane.

“She wouldn’t have given out her number if she didn’t want you to call. You’re worrying too much,” Bray continued.

“He does have a point,” Rhea conceded. “It’s been a week since you saw her. She’ll think you aren’t interested or left town if you don’t call soon.”

It’d been a long, agonizing week. Declan cursed under his breath and scrubbed a hand over his jaw. “I’m going out.”

He didn’t wait for his siblings to respond. He trudged to the door and slammed it shut behind him.

Bray muttered something under his breath, but Declan couldn’t quite pick up on it. It was better that way. His brother could be an ass at times.

Not only did Declan not have experience with female wolves, but his experience with women in general was lacking. He’d picked up a few women on the road, but he’d never gotten to know one before. Bray was outgoing, Declan was content to sit quietly by while his brother got all the attention. Times like these, he envied Bray’s ability to chitchat with anyone.

Now isn’t the time to think about Bray. He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. Ambling down the stairs, he pushed the door open and blinked against the blinding sunlight. Declan placed his hand on his brow, using it as a visor.

People bustled across the busy sidewalk. Car horns blared and vehicles whizzed by. Smog tainted the air, making it heavy, and harder to breathe. He doubted anyone else noticed the poor air quality. There were too rushed to reach their destinations. Slowly, he moved down the stairs and onto the busy street.
If I can’t call her, maybe I should seek her out. Yeah, your last meeting went so well. It’s easier to talk in person.
Before he lost his nerve, he raised his hand to hail a cab.
I need to see Marcia
.

***

Marcia tucked her phone into her purse as she hopped out of the cab. She used her free hand to cover her mouth, suppressing a yawn. After a long day, she was anxious to eat and go for a run. First she had to change, her comfy sweats were calling her name.

She pushed through the masses and moved toward her complex. Unease washed over her as she approached her home. Something was wrong but what? Looking around, she took in her surroundings. Pin pricks shot through her as the tiny hairs on her arms rose. There was another wolf nearby.
Please let it be Declan
. Butterflies erupted in her belly and her heart accelerated.
Don’t get giddy yet.
. She gritted her teeth, inhaling sharply. A chill zipped up her spine.
I know that scent, and it sure as hell isn’t Declan.

Keep cool. They probably haven’t seen you yet.

The street was crowded and she could easily blend in. She glanced at her purse, pretending to search for something. Shaking her head, Marcia spun on her heel and weaved her way into the crowd.

How did the pack find me? Declan? No
. The other wolf had been sincere.
I’m a good judge of character. My intuition hasn’t failed me yet.
Besides, Declan wouldn’t risk his sister. Killian would come after Rhea too.

Wait a second. She sucked in a deep breath. Declan’s spicy scent caught on the air, causing her to frown.
Did I misread him? Why is he here?
Doubt rolled through her belly for a moment before she pushed it away.

The wolf wouldn’t betray her, which meant he could be in danger. Marcia narrowed her eyes, flicking them over the faces in the crowd. He was close. His aromatic smell permeated the air, sending heat flourishing through her body. After a long moment, her eyes landed on his tall, muscled frame. He wasn’t alone. Three men walked several paces behind him. Declan’s jaw was set, and his hands balled into tight fists.
Good. He knows they’re there, but he’s still outnumbered.

Marcia scanned the area again. There weren’t any other wolves, breaking into a jog; she hurried to the next street sign. She’d backtrack and then come up behind them. It’d be two against three but those were better odds than three on one.

Her heels clicked against the concrete, matching the frantic staccato drumming in her ears.
I have to help him.

The compulsion was innate, and it baffled her. There was only one other person she’d risked her freedom for. Astrid was her best friend—her sister, and she would do anything for her.

Declan was… there weren’t words to describe, but nothing was going to happen to him. She stopped at a street corner and gazed back. The top of Declan’s head towered over the crowd. He was nearly a block ahead of her now. She would have to move quickly to catch up to them. Slipping off her heels, she curled her toes as she clutched her shoes in her hands. At least now she could run.
I have a weapon
too.
Not that she couldn’t quickly shift her hands, but then she’d have bloody fingers, and that would draw attention. Whoever said heels were only for looks wasn’t a woman.

She shifted anxiously on her feet as she waited for the light to turn and the walk light to appear. If the street wasn’t full of zooming cars, she’d take her chances, but at this time of day it’d be suicide.

“Finally,” she mumbled as the white light flicked on. She shoved through the crowd and sprinted across the street ignoring the cries of protest from her fellow pedestrians. Her eyes flicked over the sidewalk. “Where are you?”

A tremor of fear splinted her heart.
I don’t see him. Where’d he go? I need to find him.

Marcia charged ahead, determined to find Declan before it was too late. Her pulse roared in her ears, and her lungs began to burn, but she pushed on.
Keep going. Don’t let anything happen to Declan
. She ducked around couples and zigzagged through the crowd. Her eyes flitted from side to side, staying alert.
Don’t let them get the drop on you.

There you are.
Marcia let out a joyful cry as she spotted him, earning her a few stares from the people on the street. She forced a smile and continued her sprint. The trio followed Declan into an alley.

He’s luring them in, she realized. Can he take three men at once? She didn’t want to find out. Quickly, she cleared the distance, before slowing to a trot. She came to a stop and rested against the brick building.

People gave her odd glares as they passed, but she ignored them. Instead, she focused on the alley. Hushed tones filled the air, and she closed her eyes focusing on those sounds.

“Who are you?” One of Killian’s men demanded.

“Does it matter?” Declan answered with a growl.

“You’re pack. What are y o doing here?” Another wolf inquired.

“Same thing as you I imagine,” Declan replied. “Hunting down a rogue.”

The alley fell silent. Killian’s men no doubt deciding their next move.

“Have you seen her?” The first man asked. Something rustled and Marcia tensed suspecting they were showing Declan a picture of her—or Astrid.

“No. Sorry,” Declan replied evenly.

“What about these two?” Have you seen them?

“I just arrived in town. I’ll let you know if I come across them,” Declan offered.

“Don’t worry about the blonde. We are closing in on her. Here’s my number. You see the other two be sure to call.”

“I’ll do that,” Declan commented.

They’d found her. But how? She’d been careful. And Declan hadn’t given her away.
Worry about that later. I need to get out of here.

Marcia swallowed as she took in the bustling street.
I can still slip away.
She pushed off the wall, ready to flee, when a sickening crack rippled through the air.

“What the hell?” One of Killian’s men screeched as another crunch sounded.

Declan. I can’t leave him.
She barely knew him, but she wouldn’t abandon him when he was protecting her. She gripped her shoes tighter and raced into the alley.