Keeper of the Alphas - Complete (19 page)

The knock jolted Jayce out of a deep sleep and he jerked up. The side of his face nearly stuck to the cold glass window of his Camaro and he hugged his jacket tighter around him as he squinted against the morning light.

Sheriff Graham was leaning over the car, tapping his knuckles on the window. Jayce had parked outside the Sheriff’s office and his Camaro wasn’t exactly inconspicuous. Jayce stretched a smile over his mouth and rolled down the window. “Morning, sir.”

“Y’didn’t sleep here overnight, did you, kid?”

“No, sir,” Jayce lied as he stretched out and straightened his spine. “Just resting my eyes.”

“Uhuh.” Sheriff Graham raised his eyebrows, a skeptical look crossing his droopy dog face. “Hope you’re all rested; you’ve got a couple days’ work to make up.”

Jayce tapped his pen against the chipped, cluttered desk. Shit rolled downhill in the Sheriff’s office, which meant the trainees got saddled with most of the paperwork. For “learning experience” and all that. He was trying to file Sheriff Graham’s latest report detailing a bar fight at Ginger’s, but his concentration was shot.

Phones chirped sharply. The clock ticked each second louder than the next. Papers shuffled and thumped like rain on a tin roof. Even in a small office like this with only four other people, the noise was deafening and chaotic. It was worse than the worst hangover and Jayce felt each noise jangle in his skull, pinging around painfully. Finally, he couldn’t take it anymore and got up, quickly, needing to go somewhere,
anywhere
, and turned—

Straight into Sheriff Graham. The older sheriff swore as his coffee thermos tipped over, out of his grip.

Jayce caught it. With reflexes that surprised even him.

“Nice catch,” the sheriff said, chuckling. “Now watch where you’re going, pretty boy.”

Jayce lifted the thermos and saw, with horror, that his nails had gone black and curled sharply. He set the thermos down on the desk, quickly, and then jammed his hands in his pockets. “Don’t mention it.”

He barely heard the Sheriff behind him (
Where you going?
); all he could hear was the thumping blood in his ears. His wolf was angry inside of him, clawing at his chest, trying to get out. He had to walk, had to burn off this animal feeling. Had to tame the part of him that wanted to throw the Sheriff to the ground and rip open his neck with his teeth.

He was losing it.

He left the station, zipped down the street, and turned the corner, running straight into—

“Cami,” Jayce said, stopping short. His expression lifted in surprise and then just as quickly deflated again.

“Jayce,” she said. She looked stunning, cream lace shirt, cream chiffon skirt, tied together with a thin leather belt. Blond hair tousled over her shoulders, framing her own startled expression. Awkwardness settled in his bones as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other, suddenly looking very much like the young, gawky kid she’d grown up with. He said, “I owe you an apology—”

Cami grabbed his face and kissed him, hard. He let out a small, muffled noise against her mouth and then she pulled back. “Take me somewhere,” she said.

“Okay,” he said without missing a beat.

Jayce could smell the engine exhaust and felt the purring Camaro vibrate underneath him. It all made him feel a little more
human
. And then, of course, there was Cami, his anchor, twisting her hair around her finger beside him. They made it to a small clearing outside of town before Jayce cut off the engine. “We should talk about what happened,” Jayce said.

“What’s there to talk about? I burst fire from my hands; you can turn into a wolf. End of story.”

He was quiet for a moment before he said, “I know I betrayed you. And if you want to yell at me, hit me…whatever. Just get it out.”

“Jayce,” she said flatly, “I’m tired. Are you still back at the trailer park?”

He shook his head. “It’s been…the Camaro, mostly.”

“You know you can stay at my place. At least drop your shit off so you’re not carrying it around like a turtle.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Cami looked over at him and then said, “Can I see it?”

“What?”

“Your dog.”

His face fell. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Because you’re dangerous, right?” She pointed to herself. “Keeper, remember? It’s kind of my job to handle dangerous animals.”

“I don’t know,” Jayce said, looking out the window.

“Why not?”

“Because!” Jayce finally snapped. “I feel like I’m losing my mind. I spent my whole life fighting these things and now it’s like…I’m trying to fit back in, trying to go back to the way things were before, but I can’t. Noises are too loud, smells are too strong, I crave meat all the time—do you know I was vegetarian for two years? I just…” He tossed up his arms, exasperated. “I feel like a freak.”

“Welcome to my world,” Cami said.

Jayce had nothing to add to that right away, just a curt “Yeah” as he stared out the window. After a moment, he added, “I’m sorry for dumping this all on you. It’s just that you’re the only one I can talk to.”

“I know,” Cami said, then looked back at him. “So show me. Please.”

Her eyes were pleading and, damn, Jayce could never say no to those eyes. He bit the inside of his lip, thought about it, but then succumbed with, “Alright.” He got out or the car, shutting the door behind him, and Cami rushed out to follow suit.

Jayce pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it through the window back in the driver’s seat. Then he glanced over at Cami, reached into his pocket, and tugged out his car keys, tossing them at her. She caught them. “Just in case something goes south,” he said. “Lock me out and take off. Leave me behind, don’t come back.”

“Aye aye, Cujo.”

Jayce exhaled and then crouched down. He wasn’t very familiar with feeling self-conscious, all too accustomed to flashing a pretty smile and getting what he wanted. But now, about to turn into a wolf, he was suddenly feeling gunshy. He ducked behind the body of the car and got on all fours. His bones crunched. Cami could hear them snapping; she heard the wolf growl.

And then he came pattering out from behind the car. A large grey wolf. He shook himself off, a ripple running through his mane of fur.

Cami caught her breath. His head lifted, yellow eyes on her now. His ears went back and he growled, a low rumbling in his throat.

Cami’s fingers tightened on the keys. If she hurried, she could be in the car, snapping the door in the animal’s face. If she hesitated, she could be pinned down by a mass of fur and teeth and claws as big as she was.

Or.

Cami inhaled. Exhaled. And steadied one hand on the car as she reached out with the other hand. “Jayce…it’s—”

The wolf snapped at her, all sharp teeth, and snarled. Legs braced, ready to pounce.

Shit.

Cami stumbled back and grabbed the car door. She yanked it open just as the wolf lunged at her. Cami just managed to throw herself inside, feet kicking. The wolf grabbed her boot with his teeth but she gave him a swift kick in the snout, knocking him back. She grabbed the door handle and pulled it shut, just in time.

So much for special Keeper powers
. He was on two legs, scratching at the window, barking loud, throaty noises. All animal.

Cami’s heart rammed against her ribcage as she shifted in her awkward position, sprawled over both seats. The gearshift dug into her back and she propped up to shove the key into ignition, twisting. The Camaro sputtered to life, ZZ Top blaring so loudly she couldn’t even hear the wolf barking outside.

Wait. She
really
couldn’t hear any barking. Or scratching. Or growling. Cami looked up out the window and saw nothing. No paws clawing to get in. When she sat up, she could see the wolf outside. Just
sitting
there, like it was waiting for a treat. Mouth open, pink tongue lolling. It cocked its head, listening.

You’ve got to be kidding me
. “You like that, huh?” Cami said and cracked the window open just enough for the music to spill out. The animal’s ears perked up, head cocking in the opposite direction.

Cami decided to test it and turned the dial on the radio. Ke$ha popped on. The wolf bared his teeth and growled.

Cami switched it back.
What’s up with that?
Billy Gibbons asked for the both of them, his raspy voice growling over the radio. The wolf’s tail wagged. “Alright, alright. ZZ Top or bust. Got it.”

There seemed to be something a little more human in those eyes, an inquisitive expression. Maybe Jayce had reined in his animal after all. Cautiously, Cami rolled the window all the way down. Then, as though in peace offering, she extended her hand once more. The wolf didn’t lunge at her this time. Instead, he craned his neck forward to sniff, his black nose brushing her small hand. Recognition seemed to click and his ears went back submissively, his pink tongue lapping at her hand.

Cool relief settled in Cami’s boiling blood. “Good boy,” she cooed, and then pressed the door open and got out. The wolf shifted his weight but didn’t move from his spot. She reached over carefully and slipped her fingers through his fur. It was thick, soft, like Egyptian cotton. She scratched behind his ears and his tail thumped the packed dirt.

Cami giggled. He was playful now, like an overgrown puppy. She leaned down and kissed his large head. Overly excited, the wolf jumped on her then and pinned her against the hood of the car. Cami squeaked laughed as he licked her face, tail wagging.

She felt the change in weight and soon she wasn’t gripping a handful of fur but a handful of hair instead. Jayce—fully human now, and naked on top of her—pressed a small kiss to her forehead before looking down at her.

“Did I hurt you?” There were those eyes—sad and scared and so full of unanswered questions.
Puppy dog
eyes.

Cami shook her head. She petted his hair back, then said, “Do you remember anything?”

He nodded. “Kind of.” And then, in apology, “I remember…wanting to devour you.”

Cami shrugged. “Can’t blame you. I mean, look at me. I’m tasty.”

His eyes locked on hers. “You are.” There was something—what?
Carnal?
—in his gaze. Like the wolf had left behind something ferocious and hungry in him.

It made Cami’s breath catch. Jayce wrapped her hair up in his fingers and dipped down to close his mouth around hers in an aggressive kiss. He parted her lips with his tongue and she felt her body buzz to life underneath him.

Cami tugged his hair, pulling him back. The look his eyes—feral lust—was enough to make her putty underneath him. But it was more than that. Cami knew that look; she’d worn it so many times herself. Even with the years that had passed between them, Cami knew that she and Jayce both carried the same tortured, tangled heart. Sex was the only antidepressant that had ever really worked for her and she knew it was the same for him. And she wanted it, too; she felt the pace of her heartbeat increase and her thighs clenched around her hard, pulsing clit. They could fuck, right here, right now, hard and passionate, fingers scraping skin, and tear each other apart. And it would feel good,
great
, even, and it would solve all their problems for an hour, maybe two.

Jayce’s lips butterflied over her neck and she sighed into it. But Cami felt an uneasy rustling around in her chest like dry autumn leaves. She was hot, horny, but she wasn’t
comfortable
. As though there was a steel bar wrapped around her spine, making it impossible to settle. She wanted to trust him, but
wanting
to trust him was different than trusting him. She kissed him harder, as though a little extra passion could override her own mental blocks. But when his hand slipped up her thigh, under her dress, groping her pale skin, Cami grabbed his wrist.

“Wait,” she said, short of breath. “Just…um…”

“It’s okay,” Jayce interrupted quickly. “I’m sorry. It’s…the animal.” Jayce took her by the hand. He pressed a gentle kiss to her fingers. She felt suddenly small, a buddle of raw nerves. Finally, he burst out with, “Let’s do this. You and me.”

Cami blinked at him. “What?”

“You know. Together. Monogamous.
Going steady
. Whatever the kids call it these days. I know it sounds stupid, but it’s just been a while—”

“Yes,” Cami said suddenly.

A hesitant smile grew over his mouth. “Yeah?”

She nodded quickly, and she grabbed him and pressed a tiny kiss to his mouth. Her heart cinched, still tight, still
scared
, but she felt calm suddenly, safer. He’d planted the seed and she could feel hope blooming in her chest.
Maybe they’d get through this after all.

“Okay.” He broke the kiss with a laugh. “Cool. Let me get my clothes on. Take you home.”

Cami nodded, a smile of her own poised on her lips. “Wait…can you drop me off somewhere first?”

Jayce drove her through town and dropped her off at the local bank. Getting inside was easy enough, the teller knew her mother, even remembered Cami when she was a child. Cami had to listen to the teller yammer on about the big bows little Cami used to wear (
adorable, really, a good gust of wind could’ve carried you away with those big things in your hair
) before she finally got access to her mom’s lockbox.

#214. Nothing special about it, just another slotted drawer in a long line of drawers, set up like mailboxes. The noisy teller (thankfully) left and Cami pulled out her mom’s lockbox, gingerly setting it down on the metal table like she was preparing to dissect a living thing.

The box sat untouched in front of her. Small. Steel. Neat, pristine, contained. Like her mother. Cami felt a cold fear rising up inside of her.

(Bite it back. Be brave, dear.)

Quiet, quiet.

Cami felt her insides fold up like origami. She took a deep breath and imagined pouring concrete into the hollows of her bones so she wouldn’t run.

Quick. Like a Band-Aid.

Whatever.

She fit the key in and turned it. The box unlatched and swung open.

It was empty. Well. Almost empty. Save a neatly folded piece of stationery, tucked away snugly at the bottom of the box. Cami took it out and unfolded the creases on the table. Her mother’s handwriting—perfectly articulate, stumpy print; she would’ve never made it as a doctor—ran in black ink all the way down the page.

It read:

Dear Camilla,

If you’re reading this, then that means the worst conceivable scenario has occurred. I am dead or incapacitated and you have been ensnared back in Tyburn. Please be assured that I did everything I could to keep you away from here. I am sorry for the things I have done and I know that the damage I have caused you can never be repaired. Would that I could keep you away from the dangers of this life.

The next few days will be a whirlwind for you. You will meet a man living in our old house; trust him. You will learn all of the secrets that I have tried hard to keep from you. You will learn of your mother’s double life and her marriage to the woods. I want you to understand that I, like you, never chose this life, but it has been in our bloodline for centuries. If you have any questions, please reach out to your Aunt Sadie and your cousin, Jenny. They know everything and will be able to teach you how to properly conduct your powers.

I am sorry this burden has fallen on your shoulders. I have been faced with plenty of hard choices in my life, but none harder than this: to draw my own daughter back into the life I swore she would never live or to see everyone in Tyburn, and possibly more, perish.

My Camilla, this is greater than either of us. I know I have hidden a lot from you and now, in the final hour, I ask more from you than I deserve. But I know you are intelligent, passionate, and strong. In my attempts to protect you, perhaps I have kept you from realizing your true potential. For that, I am sorry. I love you, dear.

Lynn.

Cami read the note over once, then again. It was her mom all over, that voice in her head. The woman who couldn’t speak to her own daughter without sounding like she was writing a dissertation. Cold, brittle, and yet…

A
spark
, maybe, of warmth there. A lifetime too late, but she was trying.