Escaping Dominance (Heart of a Wolf Series - Trina's Tale) (8 page)

“Yep.” He skipped out in front of her, heading towards the building and held his hand up for a high five when
he passed Amber on her way out.

A grin crossed her face. Amber lightly slapped his hand
,
meeting Trina’s eyes and inclined her chin slightly
before
continuing
towards the jeep.

Trina returned her smile, half expecting her to ignore his hand up in the air. She definitely couldn’t predict anything about the woman.

Amber moved the jeep, backing it in to the spot under the tree, the ideal location. All she had to do was lift her head slightly from her reclining position and see both entrances into the rest
area.

Trina took note of Amber’s actions. She was either very paranoid or overly cautious. Always prepared for a quick escape, something Trina knew she needed to start preparing for. Leaving the security of the pack, if it could be called that, she had exposed her son to more dangers in the world and wondered if maybe she had made a mistake by taking him away. She hugged Toby to her.

“Mommy?”

She s
troked his head absentmindedly.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes
,
baby, why?” Leaning back, she held his shoulders and looked down into his tanned face, staring into the bri
ght blues that matched her own.

“You were squeezing me too tight.” He peered up at he
r, his face looked so innocent.

“I’m sorry. I was just thinking of what we need to d
o when we get to our new home.”

“Is it scary? Will
D
addy be able to find us there?”

“I hope not
,
baby, I hope not
,
”
she murmured
softly
.
H
earing him talk about Dean made her heart clench and brought tears to her eyes at the word daddy. She knew there was no turning back now, but she did wonder if she was
cut out for a life on the run.

While Amber rested in the jeep, Trina played with Toby out in the picnic area. Occasionally she would see Amber’s head pop up when a car could be heard heading in their direction on the highway. Other than that, she appeared to be resting okay. Trina knew how to keep Toby busy and out of the way. She had learned
this at
an early age
from
when Dean and his friends snapped and snarled about him being too loud or underfoot. Remembering all the bad stuff helped remind Trina
that
she was doing the right thing
by
taking her son away from his father
and the lifestyle he was set on living.

The weather was nice. There was a very small patch of grass maintained at the rest area. She had noticed since being in the desert, they tended to hardscape most areas due to lack of water. Playing under the small acacias trees bunched around the covered tables provide
d
protection from the direct
midday
sun
and
Toby was able to burn
off some of his energy.

Trina was happy to see him running around because she was worried about
him sleeping so much since escaping from Dean at the motel. Watching him play
,
she hoped the
sudden
changes in his life were not affecting him too severely. He seemed okay
though
. Digging in his backpack, she pulled out the small rubber ball and they were tossing it back and forth when she heard the
sound of a vehicle approaching.

Amber’s head popped up, and then back down quickly when a department of public safety vehicle pulled into the parking lot.

Trina could only imagine the panic
Amber
probably felt because the same surge of adrenaline rushed through her veins. It was a possibility the officer pulling th
r
ough the lot could be a member of the local wolf population. With the packs living among humans they blended
by
working the same jobs. In fact, Trina noticed they held a lot of government positions. If the officer was a pack member then she was on the verge of getting caught and dragging Amber down with her.

He would recognize that she was from another pack and enter her name into their police data base. She was sure Dean had reported her as a runaway to the council the moment she left pack land and got him in trouble with the police. If the officer ran her name, the council would be alerted to her whereabouts. She had to think of something, and fast. Sniffing the air confirmed he was human.

Grabbing Toby’s hand, Trina began running towards the officer,
e
ffectively diverting his attention from the jeep and on to her. Trina knew she was cute, men looked at her all the time and the officer was no different.

Climbing out of the car, the door open, he stood with his arm draped over
it
, watching the cute little blonde
running towards him.

She had no clue what she was going to say or do. Then it all went from bad to worse when she saw the red and white truck pulling in. Her head was spinning. Had Dean gotten the cops involved, reporting her as a kidnapper
who had taken his son from him?

Trina stopped, staring in terrified silence from the officer to the truck driving through the parking lot. She tugged Toby behind her, determined to keep him away
from his father no matter what.

Amber still had the choice of taking off and leaving her to deal with the mess she
had
found herself in. Since the officer wasn’t a werewolf, there was still
a chance he could help her.

In her peripheral vision, she noticed Amber pull her reclined seat into the upright position and half expected her to start the engine and leave. Her shoulders sank in relief when she stepped out of the jeep instead. What Trina saw next shocked her, and she blinked a couple times, biting her lip to keep from gasping. She did a double take to make sure
that
what she
had
just
see
n
had really happened.

Amber’s lips were moving. One hand in her pocket, the other passed over her face. She leaned down and looked in the side view mirror. With a nod,
she
straighten
ed
, turning to face Trina
,
a slight smile on her face.

The woman walking towards her, facial wise, looked nothing like the Amber she had just seen moments before. Although her height, dark hair
,
and eyes were still the same, Amber’s actual face looked different. She had somehow aged, with wrinkles gathering around her eyes and along the sides
of her mouth.

Trina
now
had a good idea what Amber’s mother would look like, if she favored her mother. Magic of some kind had to be involved. Werewolves couldn’t change their appearance during the non-phase of the full moon. It was unheard of unless they were direct descendants of royal blood. Her eyes opened wide in amazement. She had heard the legends, never believing them. Amber had to be related to a member of the Supreme Council. Was that why she was on the run? The involvement of the council scared her even more than the thought of Dean stalking her.
The thought of the Supreme
C
ouncil simply terrified her.

For the first time since leaving the pack Toby began to cry. She heard the sniffling first and realized he was afraid because he could feel her fear. Turning to him, she picked him up and held him. “It’s ok, baby.”

Amber stopped beside Trina and stroked her ha
nd soothingly down Toby’s back.

The trooper was checking Amber out. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, then back up and stopped at her full breast
s
. The halter top she wore emphasized their size. More than obvious, he had to force himself to tear his eyes away from the mater
ial stretched across the front.

Frowning slightly, Trina had not seen Amber wearing it. If she had been, then she definitely needed to start paying closer attention to things. She would have sworn earlier she was wearing
a loose fitting t-shirt.

“Everything okay here?” The officer looked between the two women, then over his shoulder to the parking lot behind him to where Dean had parked. His hand went to his holster and unsnapped his gun when he saw the large man stalking menacingly
towards them.

Amber plopped a hand on her hip. Her other hand pointed at Dean, her voice taking on a deep southern accent. “That’s my daughter’s ex-husband. We’ve told him to leave her alone, but he keeps coming after her.”

The officer turned towards Dean. “Hold it right there
, mister.”

Dean stopped a short distance away, his lip curled in a snarl. “I want my son.” He started to move forward.

Drawing his gun, the trooper held it out slightly from his hip, barrel facing down, but ready to lift and fire if Dean didn’t listen. “I to
ld you to stay where you were.”

Amber pushed on, even her voice sounded older. “Last year he beat my daughter to the point to where she almost died. I’m taking her home and he keeps coming
after her
.”

His big hands clenched into huge fists, Dean glared at Amber. “I don’t know who you are lady, but that bitch stole my son
.
” His temple had a huge bruise from where his head had busted against the curb at the m
otel.

“First of all, you,”
t
he officer pointed to Dean, “back down.” Looking Dean over, he noted the bruising on the side of his face. He looked back over to the blonde. “Did someone take a baseball bat to you while you were sleeping?
”

Amber looked down at the officers name tag. “Officer Reyes. The man stays drunk and even his kid is afraid to be around him. Just look at him
, he was trying to hide behind his mo
mma.” Amber ran her hand along Toby’s back. “
I cannot
let him abuse my daughter and grandson anymore. Next time he might kill one, or even both of them.”

Officer Reyes stood staring from the tall man back to the blonde woman huddling with her son behind her dark haired mother.

Dean snarled and lunged for
ward.

The officer spun in a crouch, his g
un aimed right at Dean’s chest.

Trina sent up a prayer of thanks to the spirits that the full moon phase was not until the next night. If Dean could change, he would have shifted and killed the officer
, probably her and Amber too.
With the phase being so
close, his eyes gleamed yellow.

Reyes jumped slightly, backing up when he saw the flash. “What the hell?”

131

ESCAPING DOMINANCE

CHAPTER eight

D
ean blinked quickly, his eyes changed back to their normal blue,
and
he stared at the officer
,
continu
ing
to clench
h
is teeth as his anger built. His chest rose and fell with quick intakes of breath. “I will not leave here without my son. The slut c
an rot in hell for all I care.”

Amber sensed the tension building in the air
and played on it
. “You have hurt my babies enough. Breaking the boy’s leg last year was the last straw. Since you have friends with the local law in Oregon they won’t do anything about it. But I can. They are coming back to Phoenix with me.
”

Trina couldn’t believe Amber actually knew about Toby’s broken leg. She wondered if she had somehow connected to her mind without her knowing or if Toby might have talked to her when she was sleeping.
Dean had sworn it was accident. While she was out hanging up clothes on the line to dry, Dean said Toby had climbed on the counter and jumped off. Trina had never really believed it, but now she really wondered.

Although mad,
Amber’s
words took Dean by surprise too and he stood staring at Amber in disbelief then over at Trina.
You are telling strangers our personal issues, pack issues? Involving the police? Why are you letting her tear us apart?

Trina hated that he could still connect with her
, but b
eing part of the pack
,
there was no choice. She had been able to block him until now.
I left you way before I met her. She is not tearing us apart. You did that many years ago when you refused to accept me as your mate and claim Toby as your son.

He is my son, dammit! I never denied him and have taken care of you, haven’t I?
Dean was truly dumbfounded that she h
ad even considered leaving him.

You took care of yourself and forced us to stay there, but not anymore. I am through being your doormat. Go find another bitch to be your pack’s whore.
Even though he had never allowed anyone else to touch her, she couldn’t forget the words his friend had said about her, and the fact
that
he had not stood up for her still hurt. He had abused and used her too long for her to forget. If she tucked tail and went back to him no
w she would never escape again.

Officer Reyes had taken a step back and stood where he could see everyone. He glanced between them when everything fell silent. Frowning, he lowered the gun when it appeared Dean wasn’t going to continue moving forward. Ye
t he didn’t holster the weapon.

Dean was staring at Trina
and she returned his stare, not dropping her head like she normally di
d.

The trooper waited to see what was going to happen next. The hand he had been holding out in front of him moved slowly to the radio clipped on his shoulder. His call for backup was quickly answered by the other state trooper alre
ady pulling into the rest area.

Amber glanced down at Trina. Whipping her head around, she goaded Dean. “You are abusive and a sorry excuse for a father.” She stayed back far enough
to
where she could react in time if he lunged at
her.

Dean’s head whipped in her direction, his eyes flashed again and his nose flare
d, he sniffed the air slightly.

Reyes saw this and motioned for the other officer with his palm facing them, then swirled his hand, motioning for him
to move in slowly.

Glancing over his shoulder, crouching slightly when he saw the other officer had his forty-caliber Smith and Wesson aimed at his back
,
Dean’s head whipped around and he glared at Trina. “I knew I should have waited for my brothers like they told me too
.”

Trina’s heart jumped to her throat. That meant the pack w
as
already on the
ir
way. They needed to find a way to get out of there quick. So far Amber was pushing Dean’s buttons and pissing him off, keeping the officers attention on him instead of her. Trina knew exactly how to push him over the edge. She squared her shoulders and handed Toby to Amber.
She’s right,
you know.

Dean’s eyes narrowed and his lipped curled at seeing his son in Amber’s arms
.

Trina continued.
You have been a lousy father to Toby and you think you are so good in bed? I can count on one hand how many times you have actually satisfie
d me over the past six years.

With that statement, his face flushed red. “You fucking bitch
,
”
h
e spat at her. His shoulders be
ginning to
mov
e
forward
.

Reyes reacted immediately, lifting his gun again. “Stop right there!”

Dean stopped his forward momentum,
spittle hanging down his chin.

In the background the other officer spoke into the radio on his shoulder. “Po
ssible ten fifty, will advise.”

The dispatcher responded, “Ten four.”

Trina had heard that call sign before and knew the officer thought Dean was under the influence of drugs. She was really pushing it with Dean. Attacking his sexual prowess would piss him off. His charm had worked on too many women. The ones he and the boys brought back to the trailer and slept with in her home while she stayed with Toby in his room. The women he bragged about with his friends while they were out running around then coming back home. Forcing her to sleep with him had left her feeling cold and used.
If all men are selfish like you, then I would rather go without.
Trina hid the evil smile that nearly slipped across her face. She knew exactly what would get him.
Or take a woman as my lover instead. Why do you think she knows me so well?
Trina lifted her head slightly towards Amber, softening her eyes when she looked at her.

Dean moved fast
. K
nocking Reyes out of the way, he lunged towards Trina, his teeth bared in a snarl.

The trooper
,
standing behind the door of his car with the gun trained on Dean
,
moved his finger to
pull the trigger.

Amber had moved slightly away during Dean and Trina’s mental connection and now lunged for Dean when she saw the officer’s finger twitch. Shoving him just enough for the bullet
to
land in his shoulder, rather than go through his back and into his heart
where the trooper was aiming. Landing on top of him on the ground, she took advantage of his confusion and said just low enough for him and Trina to hear. “The bullet was aimed for your heart, wolf. I just saved your sorry ass. Leave Trina and Toby alone or I will make sure the next one hits the target.”

There was a flurry of movement. The officer who had shot Dean yelled at Trina. “Take the boy to the car now!
”

Trina didn’t waste any time and rushed Toby to the jeep, crawling into the backseat, holding him while he cried. Rocking her son, she swiped at the tear
s slipping
down her own cheek
s
.

Reyes
jumped to his feet.

Amber placed her hand on Dean’s chest, where h
is
heart was pounding
.
“Remember what I said.” She
shoved
hard on his breast bone and his eyes opened in painful surprise at her strength and agility when she pushed herself effortlessly up and off of him with one hand. She stood staring down at him, her eyes a swirling mixture of color.

“You okay
,
ma’am?”

“Yes, sir, I’m fine.”
Amber
put her hand to her face and wiped her forehead dramatically, closing her eyes so the officer didn’t see the mixture of color. “I thought he was going to hurt my babies.” When she opened them they were back to normal. She quickly glanced at the nametag. “Officer Stone
,
can you make him leave her alone?”

Stone holstered his gun and put his hand on Amber’s shoulder, patting her gently. “It’s going to be ok now. I need to get a statement from you while my partner gets him shackled and ready for transport. Let me call the ambulance, I will be right with you.
”

Even though she sat in the jeep, Trina’s hearing allowed her to follow the conversation. The ambulance was on
i
t
s
way. Amber stood
,
glancing worriedly from Dean groaning on the ground,
she
mov
ed
to get up and back over towards
her and Toby
.

Reyes, his gun still drawn, turned and pointed it at Dean’s face
when he moved to get up
. “Stay on the ground!”

Dean
plopped back down and
stared into Amber’s dark brown eyes.
I don’t smell wolf, but the bitch moves fast, and she is strong for a woman. Why can’t I smell her? If she’s not wolf, then how does she know what I am.
He cut his eyes over at Trina, his mouth in a grim line. He realized she was in his head hearing his thoughts.
I don’t scent her, she can’t be wolf, but you told her what we are didn’t you?

Trina didn’t re
spond to his mental connection.

His brows met in the center.
I would have sworn she looked younger in the car.
He sat there in his confusion trying to figure it all out. The bullet in his shoulder hurt, but he ignored the pain and
pushed himself to his feet
.

Reyes and Stone both turned with their guns aimed at him. “Get down!” “Stay
d
own!” Don’t move!”
Each
word ran over the other in the rush of adrena
line at seeing him standing up.

Reyes pulled his handcuffs from his belt
.

A couple more troopers pulled into the rest area, rushing to the scene. Pulling their guns, they surrounded Dean and he
reluctantly stopped struggling with them since he was overpowered.

Stone lowered his gun
and turned back towards Amber.

Sucking in a deep breath, Trina realized she had let Amber completely handle the situation while cowering in the back seat with her son. Now the officer was heading over to talk to Amber and she
knew that
she had to handle her own problems from
then
on. Sitting up, squaring her shoulders, she turned to Toby. “Stay here, do not get out. You hear me?”

He nodded and his eyes grew big at her stern tone.

Amber stood aside and watched Trina move next to
Officer Stone.

Trina was shaking inside, but she refused to let Dean see that side of her any longer. “I want you to leave me and Toby alone. You ruined any chance of me ever loving you again when you slept with all those other women. I am not your punching bag, maid
,
or your whore. I’m done with you.” She turned to Officer Stone. “What can I do to make sure he leaves us alone?”

“You can file a restr
aining order. Are you married?”

Trina shook her head.

“Does he have custody?”

“No.”

“Name on the birth certificate?”

The corner of Trina’s lip lifted in triumph, seeing where he was leading her with his line of questioning. “No.”

“Then he will have to file a p
etition for paternity testing.”

Trina turned and smiled at Amber, her hand rubbed up and down her arm. “Mom, everything is going to be fine once we get back to Phoenix. Dad said he could help me get a place
,
right?”

Amber lifted her hand to her mouth and nodded.

Trina saw that she was nearly laughing at her calling her mom, but to the
officer it sounded like a sob.

Stone looked at Trina and gave her a supportive smile. “I think we have detained you ladies long enough. I’m sure we can get in touch with you through the Phoenix PD if we need you for anything else. Please
,
get yourselves home as soon as possible, but be safe about it.”

Trina and Amber began to back away. Trina’s eyes going to Dean.

Dean glared at her shaking his head, his teeth bared in a silent snarl.
Don’t you do it! I swear, if you leave me here like this I will hunt you down.

Officer Stone saw her
worried
frown. “Go on and get out of here.”