An Alpha's Trust (8 page)

Chapter 13

She wasn’t sure how long she sat at her kitchen table thinking about what Jake had said. He seemed sincere. She just wasn’t sure she was willing to trust blindly. Actually, if she thought about it, he had done a great deal to secure their safety. He also revealed himself and, in doing so, saved Trevor.

She rose from the table feeling numb. Here she had a handsome man who wanted to provide for her and she was thinking about walking away. She needed therapy, and a cold shower, not in that order.

She went to her room and closed the door, but refused to lock it. She knew deep down Jake was honorable. She went to her bedside drawer and pulled out her new toy. She undressed feeling on edge, agitated. Ever since she had met her wolf she had been wet and achy. She wasn’t use to this feeling, and hoped after an orgasm it would go away so she could sleep.

She undressed feeling the sheets scrape against her skin, noticing how sensitive her skin was. She lay down on the bed and rubbed the vibrator, called the insatiable butterfly, across her already wet sex. She jumped at the initial contact. Damn, it wasn’t even turned on yet. She wondered briefly if Jake would be able to hear if she turned on the vibrations. Would he come to her? Only one way to find out.

What was that sound? He heard a low buzzing like an irritating bee. He followed the sound and stood outside Shana’s room. He could smell how turned on she was, which made the front of his jeans strain the zipper. She must have bought a vibrator.

Good heavens, would now be a good time to tell her that after the bond was complete she would only be able to release if his scent was in the room? Nah, best to let her have her fun now. He was shocked. This proved his little Shana was as hot and needy as he was.

He stayed out in the hall until he heard her moan her release. He needed to get away. Maybe stroke himself to release, but he didn’t want to do that on her couch, with his pack outside to listen in. Shit, they probably heard her little escapade. There would be no end to the amount of teasing he would have to endure now.
It will be fine
, he thought. There was only so much satisfaction to be had with a bit of plastic. She would need his touch soon, and he couldn’t fucking wait.

That was superb. Why hadn’t she gotten a vibrator before now? It wasn’t as good as her orgasms with Jake, but it saw to her immediate needs. She’d be able to think about her situation better if she stopped thinking of him naked.

Damn, she was horny again. Oh well, she’d get her money’s worth tonight with her new friend. She changed her position. She got on her hands and knees.
This is great!
Her pebbled nipples rubbed against the sheets and she was able to move her hips more to control the depth of insertion. It only took five minutes before she groaned into her pillow. Okay, maybe it was a small scream but it was totally muffled by the pillow.
Yowsa!

He couldn’t take it anymore. Shana had just had her third orgasm when he ran up her stairs and tapped on her door. She answered with a breathless “Yes,” that shot heat to his oversized sex.

“Are you trying to kill me, Shana? I’m trying to be noble down here, but I can’t just sit on the couch while I hear your sounds of...joy. I’m dying.”

She noted the strained sound of his voice.

She quickly covered and went to the door. She pulled it open slowly and poked her head out to apologize. When the door opened however she was looking out at him, more wolf than man. He sniffed and whimpered.

“I’m so sorry. It was very inconsiderate of me. I didn’t realize you could hear me.”
Lie!

He could smell it. She wanted him to know exactly what she was doing. Was she testing his restraint?
Little minx.
He closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. When he looked at her again, his eyes were the warm chocolate brown. He grabbed her right hand and pulled her damp fingers into his mouth. “Perfect.”

Thankfully she didn’t notice his clenched fists.

“Goodnight, Shana.” And he walked back to the couch, to sleep. Hell no. He was definitely going to imagine her using the medium sized purple vibrator with clit attachment he saw on her bed. Oh, tonight he would dream well.

Chapter 14

Jake was having the best dream involving Shana and whipped cream. He woke suddenly wet, his manhood limp. Hell, when was the last time he had a wet dream. This was all Shana’s fault. If she hadn’t smelled so sweet this wouldn’t have happened. And damn, if seeing her face flushed from three self-induced orgasms wasn’t the hottest thing. The only thing hotter is if he could actually touch her and watch her peak during orgasm.

He used the bathroom and checked on Shana. He smiled seeing her sleeping with the covers only covering her lower half. Her musky sweet smell remained heavy in the air. Yum, he’d like to hop into bed with her but she looked so peaceful.

He went down the hall and checked Trevor. Darn, if he wasn’t the cutest kid. He smiled even in sleep with his hands folded under the pillow.

He headed to his truck to get his spare set of clothes and then he’d try and get a little more sleep. Shana’s couch was comfortable, but her bed was better.

What was that irritating ringing? Shana woke to her cell phone ringing. The sun was just coming out so it had to still be early yet. She picked up the phone and put it to her ear. “Lo.” Silence. That was her first clue something wasn’t right. “Hello, anyone there?”

A familiar voice spoke then. “Well, Shana girl. I’ve missed you.” Instant fear; she bolted up in bed.

“What do you want? How did you get my number?” She couldn’t think. She began to look around as if he might be in the room with her. No, Jake was here and he would keep her safe.

“I’ve missed you and thought maybe you’d want to talk about settling this pesky little custody suit out of court. If you come back to me, I’ll forget all about it.”

She could hear the barely controlled anger in his voice. If he saw her again she wouldn’t walk away with her life.

“Uh, no. Thank you.” Did she just say thank you?
Oh, hell no.
“Don’t call this number again. Don’t contact me. It’s over. Done! I have a restraining order.”
Take that!

“Yeah, I don’t think so. I’ve been waiting five years to come back to you. And I will have you, and our son. You both belong to me. A piece of paper won’t change that.”

There was a light knock on her door and Jake strolled in. “Everything okay? You sound upset. Who’s on the phone?”

She put her finger to her lips in the universal sign for ‘shut the hell up.’

Yelling. “Who the hell is that, Shana? Is there a man in our home? I told you you’re mine! Make him leave or so help me I’ll kill you both!” Ryan was infuriated. Was she giving herself up like some whore? He needed to step up his arrangements. He didn’t share.

“Look Ryan,” Shana made note of Jake’s eyes widening and then narrowed in on the phone, like it was her poor phone’s fault. “I’m not yours and I will never be. I don’t want you, ever. This is my home. It’s over. Move on.” And she hung up.

Jake could see her glistening eyes. She didn’t cry though. She rose from her bed and came to him. Standing in front of him, she wrapped her hands around his middle and shoved her face into his shoulder. He held her for a long time before hearing little tip-toes.

Trevor came in her room. “Morning, mom’n dad,” and hugged their legs. Shana stiffened briefly before relaxing back into him.

She felt safe. For the first time in a long while she felt like she had someone to lean on. She didn’t understand how Trevor could trust so blindly. What was she saying? Trevor was never blind. He had second sight. He probably knew how everything would unfold. But she was still afraid.

She needed to pull herself together. She had to drop Trevor at school and then go on into work. She kept telling herself everything would be fine if she just kept positive. She had support. She wasn’t alone. She pulled back from Jake and took her son’s hand and went to the kitchen to feed them. She didn’t realize it was too early until gazing at the clock and seeing the glowing red numbers, three in the morning.

What had just happened
, Jake pondered. He knew Shana was upset and she let him hold her. Sure, she stiffened briefly when Trevor called him dad, but then she seemed to melt into him. He felt happy. Then, without notice, she put on her cool, calm face and strolled out of the room. She was preparing for a let-down, but Jake wouldn’t let that happen, ever. He could tell from what her ex said that he was mentally unstable. Didn’t they give people psych evaluations before a prison release?

He found his family-okay, soon-to-be family-in the kitchen. Shana was staring out the window in a daze, while Trevor sat at the table watching her. He went to the boy. “Why so sad, lil’ man?”

Trevor looked at him with wide innocent eyes. “I want mom to be happy and she can’t be. Why isn’t mommy happy with me?” A big wet tear slid from his eye as Shana turned and gasped.

“Don’t you ever talk like that! I love you and I’d do anything to keep you safe and happy.” She lived for him; didn’t he know?

“But mama,” Trevor pleaded. “I want you to be happy and smile likes when you have ice cream; you smile then. Jake, will you take us to get ice cream?” he pleaded.

“It’s probably not that easy buddy, but I can tell your mommy what makes me happy. I like to be with the pack. We don’t have to play, just being together all cuddled up makes me...comfortable. Wanna try?” He opened the back door and let the wolves in.

The sound of their claws on the hard wood made Shana momentarily wince which was quickly hidden with humor. “All right guys, no peeing on the furniture and keep your claws and fangs to yourselves.”

The three wolves, Conner, Grant and she believed the third was the sheriff, Paul, went to the large rug in front of the couch and laid down. Trevor hopped on top of them without hesitation and wiggled his way in-between Conner and Grant. How was it possible she knew them in this form?

“Don’t question it,” Jake said quietly in her ear, startling her. Did he read minds too?

Jake backed up into the bathroom, removed his clothes and changed to his wolf. He trooped out to the living room and licked Shana’s hand. He went to the rug and licked Trevor across his cheek. As Trevor giggled, Jake laid down by him.

Trevor was petting his head, looking sleepy, when Shana made her way over. She plopped down by Jake and Grant. She cuddled up to Jake and began to pet his head. “You’re so soft and fuzzy. You better not shed on my new rug.”

He couldn’t believe it. Shana was asleep on his wolf and a tuckered out Trevor was asleep in-between the guys. He licked her hand and placed his muzzle on her tummy.

He slept for hours only waking when Trevor whimpered. He looked at the boy and could tell a potty break was needed, but he didn’t want to wake Shana. Oh well, it was almost time for school so he figured it was alright.

He rose and motioned for Trevor to follow. They arrived in the bathroom, he shifted back to human and dressed while a content Trevor looked on. “Way cool. One day, I wanna be in a pack. Maybe we can sleep outside and go camping.”

“Sure, lil’ man. Whatever you want,” Jake said on a yawn. “First, let’s get you to school.”

Chapter 15

It killed Jake to leave Shana snuggled with his pack, but he had to show her he could care for her son and be reasonable. Even though, his jaw was clenched at the thought of her lying with three other wolves-male wolves. But she needed comfort and support; that’s the way the pack worked. Plus, she was safe.

He walked quietly back into her home after dropping Trevor at school. He made coffee and toast. Going to her he gently brushed the hair from her face and said, “Morning, sunshine.”

She woke slowly and noticed aches in her body that shouldn’t be there. Her shoulders were tense so she stretched and...Wait, why was she surrounded by fur? She opened her eyes and remembered she was on the floor with the pack. She’d had the best couple of hours of sleep, better only if they weren’t on the floor. She looked up and saw Jake leaning down to offer coffee. She looked around for Trevor and panicked slightly when he was nowhere in sight.

“I took him to school. He said to tell you to have fun at work.” Jake had a really good time with Trevor that morning. They’d bonded. Trevor was nothing like other five-year-old kids he’d known. He was like a man trapped in a boy’s body-intelligent and reasonable.

“Oh, uh...thanks. He ate breakfast? Brushed his teeth and hair?” She didn’t know why she felt left out. She was the one to care for Trevor, the only person he depended on. She felt replaced.

“Yeah, he’s a good boy and knew what to do. He introduced me to his teacher and I’m afraid you might have some splainin’ to do.” He didn’t mind that Trevor called him his dad, but it appeared to make Shana uneasy.

She groaned. “Yeah, I bet. I better get ready for work.” Jake held out his hand to pull her up. She flew up and into his chest.
Yum, werewolf strength. Oops, shifter.
They didn’t like being called werewolves.
Whatever. Focus.

She took the coffee he held out to her and took a sip. “Perfect. Thank you, for everything.” She brushed a light kiss to his lips and turned for the shower.

He stood there, shocked. She kissed him. Just that brief contact had him rigid, tenting his sweats. He wanted so much more, but he was excited she seemed to be opening up. He heard the shower start and imagined Shana naked, wet, and covered in soap. Looking down at his bobbing cock he heard a huff. He’d forgotten about the guys.
Crap.

He opened the back door and watched Grant, Conner and Paul trot outside and into the forest. “My sincere thanks for last night.” They were probably hungry. So was he. With one last look at his aching manhood tenting his sweats he went to make more coffee.

Shana was in the shower thinking of all the extra support and didn’t notice the water going cold. She quickly washed up and got out. She dressed for work and felt happy, content. Even after the early morning call she felt secure. Damn wolves were growing on her.

It was such a happy accident that she decided to move to American Canyon. She grabbed her stethoscope, badge and went to grab more coffee. She entered the kitchen and smelled bacon and eggs. Goodness, there was a hot half naked man/shifter cooking at her stove.

“Grab a plate and then I’ll take you to work. Overhearing your conversation this morning, I’d like to keep a better eye on you.”

She just stared at his naked chest with wide eyes. She licked her lips and tasted her cherry gloss.

“That okay with you?” He had a shit eating grin on his face. Damn, he noticed her obvious approval and liked it. She had never seen someone look this masculine.

“Um, I’d rather drive myself if that’s okay. I need to pick Trevor up after school.” She looked back to his chest.
Yummy; was she drooling?
She closed her eyes tight and took a deep breath. Yeah, that didn’t help
.
He smelled like man, spicy and wild.

“I don’t have plans today so it’s no problem. I can drive you to pick him up. If that’s okay?” He noticed the way his voice was low and vulnerable. Crap, he was an Alpha. He’d just tell her how it would be. No asking. Isn’t that what her ex did? He was in an impossible situation.

Lucky for him she didn’t feel like arguing. “Yeah, okay. I’ll see you at around one then. Can we eat in the car? I don’t want to be late for work.”

They drove in silence, uncomfortable silence. What was he doing wrong? “Everything okay, darlin’?”

“I’m fine. Thanks.” She was thinking about how she was going to go see her lawyer with Jake following her all the time. She wasn’t going to argue though. She’d never felt safer. She didn’t want him to think she was using him. Was she using him? There was a definite lust, but...she was so confused.

“You have no idea how many emotions you just ran through, do you? First anxious, content, anxious and then confused. Penny for your thoughts?”

“I just have a lot going on right now.” How was she going to focus at work? She needed to clear her mind.

“Wow, now you’re a blank. You’re good. I’m here if you wanna talk, Shana. I won’t judge you, or get upset.” He needed to know what she was hiding. Was she in even more danger than he thought?

Thank the Lord; they’d arrived at the hospital in the nick of time. “We can talk later, but everything is...fine. See you later.”

What, no kiss this time? He hid his disappointment. “Bye.” He watched her enter the hospital.

At the last minute, Shana turned and ran back to the car. “Thanks again.” She leaned in and gave him a whopper of a kiss. “Mowah.”

Sure, their mouths were closed but she’d initiated contact, twice. He drove away smiling, licking the taste of her cherry lip gloss off his lips.

* * * * *

“Excuse me I need to change the contact information on my son’s emergency card. Could you please fetch it for me? Trevor Dunn, please.” The secretary looked at him over her glasses. He knew this was his son’s school because this was the closest school to where Shana used her cell, according to the tower. And that damn secretary just kept eyeing him over her glasses. “Did you understand?” he asked in his most authoritative voice.

“Yes sir, I believe I did. However, if you need to update the information we’ll just give you a new card. There’s no reason to take the old one since it’s incorrect. Here,” she passed him a new card and smiled, “return it at any time.”

She turned back to the computer, dismissing him. Now how was he supposed to get her address?

* * * * *

Jake was waiting on her outside the hospital. She didn’t know how she knew, but she did. He was sitting in his truck and...Reading. How did she know that? He said this would only happen if they completed the bond. She had a moment of panic when she realized, he was a noble man and she trusted him.
Whoa, hold on there; trust? What the heck.
She didn’t know when that had happened, but suddenly it was clear. She trusted someone other than Katie and her parents.
Big day.

She walked out and found him just as she imagined. He put the magazine down and greeted her with a slow smile.

“Hey there hot mama, need a ride?”

She got in the truck and, without thinking, leaned into him. She put her hands on his chest and kissed him smack on the lips. He tasted of coffee and smelled delicious, as always. She slid her tongue, in invitation, along the seam of his full lips. He groaned, but let her in. They stayed in the lip lock until they both pushed away panting. She felt powerful knowing this big strong man became hot, and lost control, for her.

He licked his lips and tasted her gloss again. It was tempting to fall back into the kiss, but they had to get Trevor. He adjusted himself in his jeans and started the car. “Ready?”

“I am if you are, big boy.” She couldn’t believe she was flirting with him. It had been so long since she was comfortable even talking to anyone. She was acting wonton, and it felt amazing.

He held her gaze for a full minute, shook off the lust haze that had taken over, and drove to the school. When they arrived at Trevor’s classroom, the school secretary pulled her aside.

“You told me to let you know if there were any inquiries into your son. Today, a man claiming to be his father came to the office and wanted to ‘update his emergency card.’”

“You didn’t give it to him, did you?” she blurted. How could he have found them so easily?

“Calm down, ma’am. No, I didn’t give it to him. I gave him a new card and told him to fill it out and we would enter the information. He seemed upset, but left.”

The panic subsided somewhat. “Thank you for letting me know.” She walked over to Trevor on shaking legs and scooped him into her arms. She began walking to where she normally parked her car, but realized she didn’t have her car.
Shit-fuck.

She turned to Jake and said, business-like, “We need to go,” and began walking to his truck.

“What’s wrong, mommy?” came her son’s small voice from the extended cab of the truck.

“Nothin’, lil’ man. Don’t fret. We’re gonna take a trip; when we get home you have to pack. Quickly, okay. We’ll go stay with grandma and papa for a while.”

Jake looked at her with hurt in his eyes. “Where do your parents live?”

“We can’t go anywhere, silly mama. I have to go to school tomorrow. We gonna do art.” He sounded so happy and she hated to uproot him, but it had to be done, to keep him safe.

“We’ll talk about it later.” She was talking to them both. She didn’t want to be blunt in front of Trevor. She wasn’t sure what she was going to say to Jake. If only he had met her long ago, it might have worked.

As they pulled up to the house, Jake looked at Trevor. “Grant is in the backyard and wants to play a game of catch. Do you have a glove and ball?”

“Yep, I got ‘em.”

“Well, what are you waiting for? Go get ‘em.”

“But mama said I gotsa pack. Huh, mama?” He looked to her eyes pleading.

“You can play for a while. I still have to make plans.”