as his father commanded, moving aside and letting his father enter. Rick came in like he owned the place, standing in the middle of the living room.
“There you are,” he said, looking down at Lexi.
Chad was the spitting image of his father, tall and built and powerful. But while Chad was all cruelty and alpha-male bullshit, his father was patient, wise, and thoughtful.
He came over to Lexi and kneeled down in front of her. Under the gaze of the alpha, she felt better, like she didn’t have a thing to worry about.
“You all right?”
“Of course she’s all right!” said Chad. “I—”
“Boy, if I have to tell you to ‘shut it’ one more time...” He turned his attention back to Lexi. “What the hell did my dumbass son do to you? I heard about him and Sam over at Marley’s.”
Chad glared from behind his dad, as if wanting to make sure she didn’t say a single word.
And Lexi didn’t want to make matters worse.
“He was being a pushy jackass,” Lexi said. “Like always.”
“Fucking hell,” said Rick, getting up. “Son, you know you’re not supposed to be hanging around with your omega before the ceremony, let alone whatever the hell else you had in mind—and I think I’ve got a good idea what that is.”
“But, Dad,” said Chad. “She’s mine—why the hell do I have to wait for the ceremony to claim her?”
“Because that’s the fucking tradition. And if you’re going to be the alpha, if you’re going to take over for me one day, you’re going to have to learn to keep yourself in check. You understand?”
“I...” For a moment, it looked like Chad wanted to protest. But he wisely only said, “All right, all right.”
“Say it like you mean it,” said Rick, rising up and stepping over to his son.
“I understand,” said Chad, meeting his father’s gaze.”
“Good. Now don’t you let me hear word about you pulling this kind of shit again. If you do, you’re going to be in for a world of pain.”
Chad nodded and glanced away, as if ashamed.
“Now,” said Rick, addressing Lexi. “It’s late, and you need to be home. Come on—let me walk you.”
He didn’t need to tell her twice. She rushed past Chad, feeling the heat from his stare on her as she did. Rick held open the door and the two left, Rick shutting the door behind her. They walked in silence for a time, the two of them making their way to Lexi’s parents’ cabin.
“Now,” he said. “Chad’s not with us. Did he do anything besides try his damndest to get in your pants?”
“No. He hit Sam for talking to me and then told me to come back here.”
“Fucking hell,” said Rick, shaking his head. “That boy’s getting worse and worse by the day. Might need to whip his ass a few times before the ceremony.”
He sighed.
“Listen, I know this isn’t what you imagined love to be like. And hell, I’d be surprised if you ever ended up being in love with that shithead kid of mine. But this is for the good of the pack, you know that, right?”
“I...I know,” said Lexi.
“And think about it—my kid’s a dumbass, sure, but he’s strong and brave. You, you’re smart as they come. A kid between the two of you...it might be just what this pack needs, right?”
“I suppose.”
He let out a wry snort. “I know—it’s hard. But don’t you worry. As long as I’m around, I’ll make sure Chad doesn’t get too far out of line. You have my promise on that, OK?”
They stopped in front of Lexi’s house.
“OK,” she said. “And...thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now, get to bed.”
She opened the door and stepped inside, the house quiet. Rick gave her one more nod before heading out, Lexi shutting the door behind him.
She hurried to bed, climbing under the covers and turning off the lights. And all she could think about was how much Rick was right—this sure as hell wasn’t how she imagined love to be.
She began to wonder what she could do.
CHAPTER 3
JASON
Jason Rainbringer stood at the edge of the Thundertooth pack grounds, suitcase in hand.
Isn’t this the time I’m supposed to think, “It’s good to be back?” Because it sure as hell doesn’t feel that way.
A wry grin was on his face, his grass-green eyes hidden behind designer sunglasses he’d bought during his years in Seattle. He was tall and wide-shouldered, with a broad chest and cut jaw, with features to match. Jason was dressed in black jeans and a gray