Claiming Shayla (23 page)

* * * *

They spent the next weekend out in the surrounding area. First Rory took Shay on a tour of his town. Well, he referred to it as a town, but it was more like an outlying area containing a few businesses, a post office, gas stations, and the like. The town butted up against the North Carolina/Tennessee border, near the top of a mountain, bordered by a state park on one side and a Native American reservation in the valley on the other.

“All this land and these businesses belong to the pack,” he told her.

“This is a lot of territory. How did the pack manage to own all of this?” Shay asked, taking in the raw, and for the most part, undeveloped land that went on for miles.

“Most of the pack land was either purchased or bartered for by my great-grandfather with the Cherokee Nation when he first immigrated. The tribe took one look at him and his men and knew exactly what they were. In exchange for land and wives, the pack provided protection. It’s one of the reasons this tribe wasn’t forced west with the others and managed to hold on to their land.”

Shay studied him carefully. She’d noticed the heavy influence of Native American blood when Rory had introduced her to the pack. It made sense. “Do you still have close ties to the tribe?”

He shook his head. “Not so much anymore. The growing need to keep what we are a secret damaged that relationship. Although some of the pack still have relatives on the reservation.”

Next he took her by all the pack-owned businesses so that she could get a feel for their physical operation. She’d already been introduced to their computer systems. The Sparrowhawks owned three campgrounds. The largest campsite catered to those who wanted to pitch their tents and rough it in a secure location but still have access to restrooms. The second, smaller location was an RV campsite completed with hookups, showers, and restrooms. The third contained a twenty-room, lodge-style hotel and a series of small wood cabins ranging from one-room efficiencies to two-bedroom cabins that slept six comfortably. There were picnic tables and grills spread throughout, and both the RV campsite and lodge had outdoor pools to attract summer campers.

“We’re considering building some time-share condos. Those do well in this area. But the question is where. We don’t want to crowd the land, and while tourism brings in money to support the pack, we don’t want too many people around,” he told her as they were leaving the lodge’s restaurant after having a delicious lunch.

In addition to the restaurant in the lodge, the pack also owned a pancake house that was open for breakfast and lunch, and three general stores that sold everything from camping supplies to tourist souvenirs situated near each campsite.

“This is a nice little setup you have and, from the looks of it, prosperous as well,” Shay commented.

“It wasn’t always this way. We had the land, but it was going to waste. We opened the first campground a year after I became alpha. Two years later we opened the third. It took four years to get the lodge up and running but each is doing well, and we’ve managed to pay back most of the money we borrowed for start-up,” Rory said.

“I recognized a lot of pack members working as employees,” Shay said as Rory headed the truck toward his construction business.

“As part owners, pack gets preference when it comes to hiring, but we don’t discriminate. We have a few of the outlying townspeople working for us as well. Not many folks want to work for minimum wage, and some of our businesses are seasonal. Those who need steady, higher paying employment drive over into Fort Knox or hit the tourist traps in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg.”

“Speaking of tourist traps, I’ll probably have to visit one to shop. I’m going to need some larger clothing soon,” Shay said, looking down at her ever-expanding bump.

Rory reached out and laid a possessive hand over her stomach. “We’ll drive into Fort Knox tomorrow and do some shopping at the mall. How are you feeling?”

She’d started out the morning with a bit of nausea. “Better. Lunch helped.”

“When’s your follow-up with Carol?”

“In two more weeks.”

“You sure you won’t let Laurie Bell take a look at you?”

Shay sighed. “I’m drinking the tea, and while I won’t deny that it helps, I’m still more comfortable going to an actual doctor’s office to be seen. Speaking of which, per our contract, you owe me some form of transportation.”

“I don’t want you riding over to Refuge without me.” He brought the truck to a stop in front of a building with a sign proclaiming: McFelan Construction.

“Be reasonable. You can’t keep me tethered to the house. I have friends and family in Refuge. You think I’m going to be this close to Kiesha and not visit her?”

Rory turned to her with one hand still resting on the steering wheel. “No, I don’t. All I’m asking is that you don’t go without me.”

“Fine, but I still need a ride.”

“You can have this one. I’ll drive one of the company trucks.”

Shay glanced around the truck and scrunched her nose. “This will do for now until I can make arrangements to have mine brought from Florida.”

“Unless it’s an SUV or a four-wheel drive, don’t bother. Anything else is not worth having on these mountainous roads, especially in the winter when there’s snow on the ground.” Rory climbed out of the truck and came around to hold the door open for Shay.

“Then I guess I’m going car shopping, which I hate,” she muttered.

Rory kept his truck well maintained and fairly clean, but it was obviously a work truck. The full-size pickup was difficult for someone of her height and stature to climb in and out of. She could only imagine the difficulty she’d have later in her pregnancy.

“I’ve introduced you to the pack and to Kian. When are you going to tell your parents about us?” Rory asked out of the blue, holding the door to his office building open for her to enter.

Shay actually felt her eye twitch. “Later.” Much, much later if she had her way about it.

“Shay, I want us married before the babe arrives. I think your parents would like to be there.”

She glared at him. “After the way my mother behaved at Kiesha’s wedding, you can say that to me with a straight face?”

“Shay…” he chided. She hunched her shoulders.

“All right, all right. I’ll do it. And when she descends on us like a plague of locusts, don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She glanced around the interior. “The construction slump doesn’t seem to be affecting you,” Shay said to change the subject. The thought of confessing all to her parents caused her stomach to churn.

“No, business is good. Hold on, let me check on a few things while I’m here. My office is through there.” He pointed to an open doorway, then walked over to a man at a desk and began asking questions.

There was a receptionist at the front desk giving Shayla a curious look. Shay guessed she didn’t see Rory come in with too many women who were so obviously not a client.

She entered his office and spent time looking at all the plaques on the wall and pictures of projects his firm had completed. When he came in, she motioned to the walls and said, “So you do both commercial and residential construction?”

“Mostly residential, but I have taken on a few commercial projects, as well as remodels and renovations. We basically do it all and at a reasonable price. Caleb, my business partner and project foreman, has been handling things for me while I’ve been home working with you,” he said as he settled into his chair and then booted up the computer.

“So he’s your second in more than just the pack?”

“Yes.” Rory scanned through his e-mails, firing off responses to a few and filing others in folders.

Shay sat on his desk and waited until he’d finished, watching him work. He loved his job, and it showed in the focus that he gave to each task. Word spread that the head boss was on-site, and there was a steady stream of visitors to the office asking about this and that. Shay sat, absorbing it all, enjoying seeing the business side of her mate.

An hour later they left and made a trip to a nearby hardware store for locks.

“You know changing the locks won’t stop any shifter really determined to get in,” he said.

“Of course, just like all the locked doors and windows in the world won’t keep out a really determined burglar. But it will slow them down and hopefully give warning that they’re coming in,” she said.

He grunted, seeming satisfied with her answer.

Chapter Thirteen

Back at the house, Shay played assistant while Rory changed out all the locks, top and bottom.

“These doors are all steel with reinforced frames,” he told her. “The windows are double paned and meet hurricane standards. Like I said, it won’t keep anyone determined to get inside out, but it will take time and a hell of a lot of effort.”

He glanced up at her. “The alpha’s house is always built capable of withstanding a siege because in times of crisis, the pack runs here. Our pantries are always stocked full of food, and there’s a locked storage room in the basement full of emergency supplies.”

Shay nodded her understanding and glanced around. “That’s why this house is so big?”

“In my grandfather’s day, when most of the additions to the original cabin were made, the alpha pair, beta pair, and the elders lived in this house. Even when I was a boy, the beta pair lived here until as healer, it was determined that Laurie Bell and her mate needed their own residence. The pack built them a house not too far from here.”

Shay’s gaze swung back to Rory in surprise. “Laurie Bell was married to your father’s beta? His second in command?”

“Yes, although my father wasn’t big on sharing his authority, he did have a second,” he confirmed.

There was something there, something on the edge of her mind, but Shay couldn’t bring it into focus. Something Rory had said… “Did your father choose his own beta?”

“No, his position was established by pack ranking, although they were good friends, having grown up together. Actually Quintin—that’s his name—and Laurie Bell were all around the same age as my father. At one time, I’m told, Da was expected to mate with Laurie Bell.”

Shock rocked Shay back on her heels. “Laurie Bell’s wolf is that strong?” she asked, remembering what he’d said about alphas and their mates.

Rory paused with the screwdriver in his hand. “I never really thought about it. Healers fall outside of the hierarchy, but her father was my grandfather’s beta and her mother, our healer, so yes, I guess she would be.”

“Didn’t you say your father’s beta was one of the men who’d challenged you for the position of alpha?”

A shadow crossed his face. “Yes.”

“And,” Shay searched the threads of her memory, trying to pull it all together, “that Ashley was the daughter of your father’s beta?”

“Yes.” He went back to his screwing, using a little more force than necessary.

“So that means Ashley is Laurie Bell’s daughter?”

“Uh-huh. What of it?” he asked absently, his focus once more on his task.

“I’m just wondering why she didn’t say anything or make an introduction.” Shay thought hard. Had she even seen Ashley at the howl? She had to have been there. Attendance was mandatory, but she’d met so many new faces. Shay honestly couldn’t remember if she’d seen her.

Rory paused in thought. “Laurie Bell doesn’t like to mention it, but she’s displeased with Ashley. She wants her daughter to follow in her footsteps, but Ashley doesn’t have the aptitude for healing like her mother and grandmother before her.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Shay knew all about disappointed mothers, with her mother constantly nagging her to marry and give her grandchildren. Another thought occurred. “What would have happened if Quintin hadn’t challenged you? Would he have remained your second?”

Rory shrugged. “It’s possible but highly doubtful. With the rise of a new alpha, everyone’s position within the hierarchy has to be reestablished. Quintin might have been able to hold on to it. More likely he would have lost his position and, by virtue of age and experience, become one of the pack elders.”

What would it do to a woman, Shay wondered, to expect to be alpha-fem and have her position taken by a lowly omega? Laurie Bell seemed to have adjusted well to her change in status. Of course, Shay supposed the position of healer was powerful in its own right.

Thinking about mothers and daughters and following in one’s footsteps, Shay asked, “Laurie Bell ever make any noises about you and Ashley?”

“Me and Ashley what?” Rory asked blankly.

Shay rolled her eyes. “You and Ashley mating?”

Stunned amazement and a hint of distaste came through their bond. “Shay, Ashley’s a child. I’ll never see her as anything but.”

Okay, that was certainly clear enough. Best leave that subject alone
. Still trying to figure out all the intrapack dynamics, she asked instead, “If Laurie Bell and your father were supposed to mate, how’d he end up with your mother?”

“I honestly have no clue.” He stood, the last lock in place. He gave the door and lock a few tests with the key. “It’s near time for dinner. What do you have a taste for?”

Without hesitation, Shay stated, “Pizza with the works.”

“You want to order in or eat out?”

“Let’s go out. I’m not used to spending this much time inside of one place.” In truth she was beginning to go a bit stir-crazy. Rory made a nice distraction, but even he couldn’t keep the walls from closing in.

“I know a great pizza parlor. They serve New York-style authentic pizza pie. And after we eat, we can take in a few of the nearby attractions,” he offered with a smile.

“You’re on,” she told him. “Let me use the restroom and I’ll be ready to go.”

They ate really fantastic pizza, rode bumper cars—though Rory inserted himself between her and other drivers to keep her from getting hit too hard—and played in the arcade until closing.

On the ride home, Shay snuggled close to Rory’s side, listening to the romantic music playing low on the radio as the fresh air blew through the open windows. Even at this hour the traffic was stop-and-go. “You’re not a bad date.”

He chuckled. “Does that mean I get laid when we get home?”

“Hmm, possibly. Or I could do you now,” she said, laying a hand on the bulge in his pants.

He covered her hand with his. “As enticing as that sounds, I think I’ll wait until we’re home. That way I can take my time, and there’ll be no pesky distractions like honking horns or citations for indecent exposure.”

Shay laughingly agreed and moved her hand from his crotch to lie on his hard, muscular thigh. As they rode, they spoke of everything and nothing in general, and Shay felt like she was part of a normal, everyday couple. It was nice.

When they entered the house and Rory locked the door behind them, instead of heading upstairs as Shay expected, he diverted them to the living room and went and programmed the stereo. “Let’s dance,” he said, holding out a hand.

Shay moved into his arms, and they drifted around the room as one slow song after another played. It was the perfect ending to a perfect evening. Rory languidly stroked her spine as they danced. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tucked her face on his shoulder, sighing contentedly when he rested his cheek on her head.

This togetherness, this sense of oneness was what she’d always thought of when she used to try and imagine herself married. Sex was great, but a woman needed more than a man who could burn between the sheets. She needed a man who knew when and how to cherish her. And when, she thought, to drive her crazy to keep her from getting complacent.

For her, Rory was that man, even if he did have a habit of occasionally turning furry.

They drifted around the dimly lit room, and as the moon rode high in the sky, they made their way up the stairs. A trail of clothes marked their passing. When they reached the bed, they were skin to skin.

Their loving was long and languid. Rory surprised Shay by staying in his skin. Only the golden glow of his eyes revealed he was as affected as she. And when they found their release, it was he who called out her name. Afterward, he held her close to his heart, his arm draped possessively, protectively around her. Shay fell asleep, feeling safe, secure, and most of all, loved.