Goal: A Mate (Bachelor Auction #2) (13 page)

She watched emotions flit across Mabel’s face. The woman’s lips thinned and her eyes narrowed. “Yeah.” She ducked her head. “Years! Our mothers and grandmothers gave years to those families, and now they turn their back on us to go with wolves?” She snorted but thankfully didn’t spit at Kelly’s feet. “Why are you so damn interested in this?”

Kelly chose her words with care. “Because I was brought up to respect fair play. No one in our pack is better than anyone else. Hard work, sacrifice, giving to the pack and the family. That’s what we respect. We all pitch in.” She studied Mabel’s face for any indications of understanding.

Mable nodded.

“I can see you care,” Kelly went on. “You have passion and fire, and you wouldn’t have gone to the lengths you did if you didn’t give a shit. Did you hear about the deal I’m offering you to combine our businesses?”

Mabel glanced away. “Yeah. But I won’t sell to you. I worked my ass off to earn the money I did, to start up my cleaning service. I’m not going to sell out just because you want peace between us. You’re not even giving us terms. For all I know you could try to undercut us.”

Kelly could understand the resistance. “I get that. You guys are the bottom of the totem in the cat shifter community, aren’t you?”

Mabel let out a low grumble, but hung her head. “Yeah,” the word was said in a low voice, as if formed by a combination of gravel, fire, and pure resentment.

That was the emotion that Kelly was hoping for. “How would you like to join our pack? Before you protest, hear me out. The Scythe Moons are the biggest pack in the area and one of the most respected in the surrounded towns. We even have a reputation in the city. You join us. You are equal to any other member in the pack and you get more business opportunities. You keep your business too, and you’ll get a piece of our territory.” She rushed through the rest of her speech. There was limited time to make her pitch. “Has Alberto told you about the merger and the marriage?”

Mable went silent. She turned her face away, but even from the side Kelly could see the pain that flashed across her face. “Yeah.”

“And he’s not offering what I am, is he? I’m not trying to put a wedge between you, but I am trying to offer something he can’t. I bring you into the pack and you can help me stop a forced marriage between me and Alberto, but you also gain status and more for your cleaning business. You have one minute to decide. You let this war continue between us for your damn pride, or you join me and you gain something no else is offering you: status, support, and a future.”

Kelly shifted from one foot to the other, glancing behind her, on the lookout for anyone approaching them.

“Look I don’t have time to wait,” Kelly said. “The summit is about to start. You want to join me meet me at the top of the trail? As a pack princess and member of the Scythe Moon pack, I grant you safe passage. If anyone stops you tell them the password—
lupanari.
You don’t have long to think about it, so if you don’t show, I’ll know your answer.”

Kelly turned and rushed away. She dodged the other pack members, who yelled out questions and greetings. They wanted to know who put out the bat signal and why the fuck it couldn’t wait until morning. Her friends wanted to grab her and pull her in for a hug, but she pushed passed them without a word. She would have loved to bathe in the affection her pack gave her, but she didn’t have time.

On the trail up, Kelly noticed unfamiliar wolves. Alberto’s pack. He must have called out his own guns. She spotted his beta, Tomas, ahead on the trail. Alberto really did want back up. She expected to see his third somewhere as well.

The run up the path worked her legs. As she moved up, the air thinned until breathing became labored and she had to call the wolf for some help. The way up Scythe Moon Rock trail wasn’t an easy one, even on the coolest or warmest of days. A couple of times, her foot came down on a rock and she almost slipped, but she managed to catch herself each time. The wolf panted along with her until she reached the peak.

Once there, she had the perfect view of the lake below and the forest that stretched as far as the eye could see. Thick, silver clouds drifted across the moon, obscuring her light. Three bonfires painted the area in oranges and gold, throwing off some much-appreciated heat. Smoke and ash, with a hint of sage, drifted on the wind.

Her father and Brandon came into view. They were deep in conversation. Martin glanced up and beckoned her over, but she shook her head. If he wanted her thoughts, he’d have to wait until he commenced the meeting.

Martin shrugged, and Brandon made his way over to her side, pausing to exchange handshakes and hugs with his wolf brethren along the way.

A pinch on Kelly’s ass caught her off guard. “Ow! What the hell?” She whirled around to confront Reenie.

“Why is Mabel coming up the way?” She moved closer until their heads were bent and the fog of their breath swirled in the air.

“Because I just invited her and the other domestic cat shifters in her group to join the pack.” Kelly waited for Reenie to explode.

Reenie’s eyes widened, but to her credit she didn’t shriek out the question in her eyes.

“I have to do something and this is it. Alberto didn’t even offer his former stepsister that much.” Kelly snorted. “And before you point it out, there is no law in our pack saying members have to be wolves. They have to be invited and the pack has to have no objections. So I’m not violating any rules.”

“
So
.” Reenie’s gaze turned toward the ground. “I don’t have to negotiate with Alberto about Mabel and her cat bitches?”

“I don’t know. We still have to figure out clients and such, if they’re accepted into the pack, but at least they won’t be treated like crap by the other feline shifters. They’ll have us backing them.” Pride filled Kelly as she thought about the implications of this merger. The more she considered it, the more sense it made. Those cats were hard workers. Her father wouldn’t say no to another source of income. The only person who could object was Alberto.

Brandon arrived and wrapped his arm around Kelly. He bent his head and nuzzled her neck, in full view of the pack members. Her heart stuttered and her belly flipped. She couldn’t keep a grin from her face. Alberto peeked in her direction and frowned but didn’t say anything.

“Hey, sis.” Brandon smiled at Reenie. “Who are we backing?” His bright blue eyes glowed in the darkness.

Kelly lifted up on her tiptoes and touched her lips to his a light brush of flesh. “You’ll find out.” She snuggled into his embrace. Reenie flanked her left side while Brandon pressed against her right side.

Mable came into view. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” she muttered as she slipped behind Kelly, Reenie, and Brandon.

Alberto threw perplexed looks her way, confusion on his face. A few times, he started toward them, only to stop and withdraw, rejoining Martin. After a minute of indecision, he set his jaw and came over to them.

“Reenie.” He purred out her name before he addressed Kelly. “Kelly, I see you brought your mutt along.”

Brandon growled but didn’t make a move toward his nemesis. “You want to fight? We can do it right here and now.”

“Brave words from a coward. I fight to win both the alpha crown and the woman.” He turned to Kelly and bowed. “My princess.”

Kelly left him hanging without returning his greeting. “I see you brought in your beta. What about your enforcer?”

“I only need a few witnesses for whatever it is this simpleton has planned.”

Alberto stayed hunched over, but lifted his head and tilted it back to gaze up at her. Amusement sparkled in the depths of his dark-brown eyes.

“Straighten up. And stop insulting Brandon. Or else…” She decided to let the threat hang in the air between them.

His lips thinned as he rose. “If you value his life and membership in this pack, I suggest you take a sweeter tone with me. Threats won’t do when we’re married, and I am alpha.”

She rolled her eyes. “I noticed you haven’t acknowledged your sister.”

“
Step
sister. Hello, Bellie.” He gave a genuine smile that lit up his face and eyes. He seemed younger and less arrogant.

“I told you to stop calling me that, Aladdin.” Mabel didn’t move from her place behind the trio.

Commotion from the other side of the summit drew Kelly’s attention away from the scene. “Looks like my father is about to start things. Better rush back to his side.”

Alberto glanced back and forth, then turned and walked away.

Reenie whirled around. “Aladdin?” Glee filled her tone.

“He’s older than me by a few years. When I was sick with the chicken pox, Aladdin had just come out on VHS. He would sit there with me and watch the movie and sing all the songs to make me feel better. When I’m annoyed with him I call him that.”

Kelly peaked over her shoulder at her possible new ally. A smile danced on Mabel’s lips before sadness filled her face. “That was before he was molded into what his mother made him.” A sour expression appeared on her features.

“I take it his mom was the reason you two are no longer siblings?” Reenie asked.

“You can’t be married to a poor architect and climb the shifter ladder. She was nice in the beginning, but things changed when my dad lost his business, and she had to go back to work.” Mabel hugged herself.

“What about your mom?” Brandon’s voice was soft and gentle.

“She died due to cancer when I was little. My grandmother helped raise me.” Her tone was clipped and defensive.

“My mother died when I was little, too.” Kelly gestured around at her family. “This pack raised me.”

Mabel shook her head. “Me and the other girls, we didn’t have that. The feline shifters turned their backs on us when my dad’s architectural firm fell apart. We didn’t have anyone but ourselves.” Mabel lifted her chin and her emerald eyes flashed peridot for a moment.

“We’re not attacking you. I respect what you’ve accomplished.” Kelly hoped her tone conveyed her admiration.

Reenie moved forward, and before anyone could stop her she enveloped Mabel in a hug. Mable struggled to get out of the hold, but Reenie refused to let go. They ended up toppling to the ground with both of them laughing. “Get off of me you crazy wolf.”

“Purr, damn you! Don’t cats purr when they’re happy? You’re one of us now. No escaping us now.” Reenie scrambled up and helped Mable to her feet.

Brandon chuckled. “Reenie doesn’t hug just anyone.”

“She’s weird.” Mable sniffled, but her lip quivered and then she gave them a smile. “You all are just weird. I’m not sure I want to be part of your pack anymore.”

“Too late. We’ve adopted you. But not your snotty brother.” Reenie pulled a face.

“But I thought—”

Whatever Mabel was about to say was cut off as Kelly’s father let out a loud howl. Silence fell on the pack and all gazes turned toward Martin.

“Scythe Moon pack, attend your alpha! We have business to discuss. Our pack member, Brandon Scott, called us forth this night with business he felt we should hear. Brandon, step forward, son, and be recognized.” Martin beckoned toward their group.

Before Brandon could step forward, Kelly spoke up, her voice loud and clear. “I, Kelly, pack princess, challenge Alberto for alpha status.” She felt Brandon stiffen beside her. Reenie and Mabel gasped.

“What?” Alberto’s eyes were so wide she didn’t see the whites at all.

“You heard me. As alpha, I would bring with me Mable of the Persian cat shifters. Their new business and has potential, like mine, to be a great source of income. Their connections to the feline shifter community cannot be ignored.”

“You’re joking! Tell me she’s joking.” Alberto glanced between Martin and Kelly. “She can’t do this!”

Martin stroked his chin. “Anyone can challenge for right of alpha status, so long as they can prove a way to increase the pack’s bounty. Connections to the feline shifter community could be advantageous to us.” Martin moved forward with grace and purpose, coming to a stop in front of the group. “Mabel, tell me, beyond your business, does your father still do architectural work?”

Kelly turned toward her new ally. “It’s OK. My father doesn’t bite.”

“Not often, anyway.” Martin guffawed at his own joke and a few of the elder wolves smiled and shook their heads. “Come on, come on, it’s OK. You have safe passage. My daughter vouches for you.”

Mable swallowed, a deer-in-the-headlights expression on her face. “Um, yes, he still does some.”

“Good, good. We have a few construction projects in mind for the future. Have him call me, OK? So, daughter of mine, you submit Mabel for pack membership along with her cat shifters? You do know it’s a conflict with your business, yes?” He raised a thick eyebrow, but amusement quirked his lips.

“Well, my father and alpha, duh.” She took small pleasure in teasing him in this way.

“Impertinent as always. And no, you can’t challenge Alberto for alpha status.” He held up a hand. “And not because you’re a woman or my daughter. As you know, my daughter and princess, a marked, claimed female who is fertile and has not given birth cannot take part in an alpha challenge. Clause one hundred and five, subclause three as it pertains to the health and numbers of the pack.” Her father grinned at her. “Unless you rescind your right to bear children on the pack’s behalf?” He raised an eyebrow at her.

Crap. Kelly glanced at Brandon. There was no way she could give up breeding rights. She may not have room for children in her life now, but later when they were both established and settled…

“No, my alpha, I do not rescind my breeding rights.” She clenched her jaw. When she was a child, Martin had made her memorize the rules over and over and over again. She felt shame at forgetting something so important to the pack. The rules were there to protect the future of the family, and there were some things that multiple shifts couldn’t fix all at once. If her reproductive system was damaged during the fight, it could take decades to heal.

She crossed her arms and watched the scene unfold before her, hoping against hope that something would happen to save her from having to be paired off with Alberto.