Hunted (25 page)

“Sharon, you’ll do as I say. Please.” I chewed my lower lip, wondering how to explain that I knew Jennings would try to hurt Matt. “I promise I’m not going to do anything foolish, but I have to know Matt is safe.”

“Just as he has to know you are.” She crossed her arms, a stubborn expression on her face.

“Neither of us is going to do anything foolish,” Matt said as he joined us. He looked at his sister and gave a jerk of his head. She nodded and left, obviously relieved she wasn’t going to have to choose which of us to disobey. “I mean it, Finn. We’re both going to play tonight smart. This is our territory and our rules. Remember that.”

Our
.

He’d never really understand what an odd concept that was for me. I’d been on my own so long that thinking of myself as part of a unit was hard. Maybe that’s why I was so adamant that nothing happened to Matt because of me. Maybe it was part of the life mate thing. Whatever it was, I meant to follow through. He’d done so much for me already. I wouldn’t let him be hurt because of it.

But, I couldn’t tell him that. He was male enough, alpha enough, not to agree. He’d quite likely sic not only his sister but my grandmother and anyone else he could enlist to watch over me. So I’d agree, provisionally at least, especially if it meant he promised not to do anything foolish.

“You have to promise me not to do anything foolish.” I reached for his hands and looked up at him. I wanted him to see how worried I was.

“I do.” He pulled me close for a moment before stepping back. “Here.” He held out a blue tooth receiver and watched as I slipped it into place in my left ear. “That ties you into the security net. I have one as well. It lets us monitor the security channel.”

Which meant we’d know if anyone was trying to sneak onto the property--or worse.

“The others are starting to arrive. Are you ready?”

Not really, but I wouldn’t tell him that.

“Let’s do this.”

He smiled and bent to lightly kiss me. Then, with my hand in his, he escorted me back to the main room. We had no more taken our seats than he nodded to where Danny stood near the door. Danny nodded in return and then opened the door. Like it or not, ready or not, it was show time.

The next half hour was a blur of faces and names as Matt or my grandmother introduced me to either clan members or the other clan leaders and their mates. Tears burned my eyes on more than one occasion as someone mentioned knowing my parents and how glad they were to finally know I was all right. From time to time, I’d catch a glimpse of one of the pride members I’d already met moving among those gathered. There was a soft narrative running in my ear as security reported the next arrival, checking their names off against the list of clans invited to attend.

Throughout it all, Matt kept hold of my hand, a reminder that I was no longer alone. He beamed proudly as he introduced me as his mate. We’d agreed that we would both keep tight control over our animals during this phase of things. Those gathered would be able to tell we were both alphas, but they wouldn’t know just how strong we were together. Leave that until we knew for sure if Jennings was going to make an appearance. Since I wanted to see the look on his face when he realized I wasn’t the helpless teenager I’d been the last time he’d seen me, I was more than happy to comply.

As everyone began to settle down so the formal “meeting” could begin, I relaxed a bit more as my grandmother and Uncle Adam led their people to chairs near where Matt and I sat. Joining them were six other clan leaders and their people. They represented Matt’s closest allies. Then came the members of our own clan. They formed a buffer between the others who had gathered, those who might not be as quick to join in on our side if Jennings appeared and tried to cause trouble.

Seeing Aunt Jane and Uncle Lou sitting just behind Grandma, I smiled. I’d only seen them once in all those years since I’d run away. I’d hated being away from them and the rest of the family, but what choice had I had? Now I’d no longer have to stay away from any of them in order to protect them or myself. Those days were over. Hopefully.

Moments before the door opened again, Teresa’s voice came over the blue tooth receiver in my ear, warning of a new arrival. Her anger and frustration was clear as she reported that he’d refused to identify himself or his companions. The corners of my mouth turned up in what would have been a predatory smile if I hadn’t controlled it even as fear flicked at my composure. It is amazing how such contradictory emotions could exist at the same time.

Matt’s hand tightened on mine as the door swung open. Years may have passed since I’d last seen Michael Jennings, but I’d have known him anywhere. He still strutted into a room like a bandy rooster, his expression haughty. His blonde hair had thinned, something you don’t usually see in a shape-shifter, and was almost white now. There was a dissipation to him that surprised me. He reminded me of some of the drunks I’d crossed paths with over the years. But what surprised me the most was that I felt no real power to him and I didn’t think it was because he was doing his best to keep it under wraps. That wasn’t his style. He would want to awe everyone with just how powerful he was. So how had he managed to hang onto power for so long?

When Matt glanced at me for confirmation, I nodded. Whether I was ready or not, it was time to face my nightmares. At least I wasn’t alone. This time would be different. It had to be.

Jennings stepped further inside and paused. At his nod, the three men with him split off and moved toward the rear of the room. It was hard not to smile when I caught Danny signaling for our own people to follow. That was enough to ease yet another layer of tension. This clan of mine--yes, mine. No one, and especially not Michael Jennings, was going to take it away from me--knew what needed to be done. Nothing was being left to chance. Precautions had been put in place and Jennings, should he decide to cause trouble, wouldn’t know what sort of trap he’d walked into until it sprang around him.

Matt gave my hand another squeeze and nodded to my grandmother. She, in turn, signaled Uncle Adam. As they stood, so did the other six clan leaders and their mates or seconds who were sitting with them. Without a word, they moved to stand to either side of the steps leading up to the platform. As they did, I couldn’t help but think they looked like an honor guard, a very serious and dedicated honor guard.

As the room fell silent, Matt stood and helped me to my feet. My stomach did a flip-flop or three and I fought the urge to lick my lips nervously. There was no way I’d let any of those gathered know how nervous I was. They needed to see me as being as strong as Matt. More than that, I wasn’t about to let Jennings think he could shake my confidence. If he believed I’d either not recognized him or simply didn’t care that he was there, he’d be off-balance and that was certainly preferable to me feeling that way.

“I welcome you, especially my fellow clan leaders, and thank you for coming tonight,” Matt began. He sounded so calm and confident. His hand gave mine a quick squeeze and I smiled up at him, aware as I did that Jennings frowned angrily. “It’s been a long time since so many of us have gathered together like this. The last time was when Adam Walkinghorse was married.”

I breathed deeply, stilling my anger at the reminder that I’d missed my uncle’s wedding and hadn’t been there when his wife had been killed by a drunk driver. Our kind might be stronger and heal quicker but we could still be killed, especially when involved in such a horrible auto accident. Neither my grandmother nor Uncle Adam had said much, but I’d done an internet search into the accident. His wife’s car had been struck by a farm truck. Her car had been cut almost in two and, reading between the lines, so had she. The driver of the truck had survived, his blood alcohol level almost three times the legal limit.

“I asked you here today to meet the newest member of our clan. She has honored us not only by joining the clan but by agreeing to be my mate.” He paused and grinned down at me. “Many of you knew her parents, clan leaders themselves. I ask you now to welcome Meg Finley to the Texas clan.”

As Matt spoke, I kept my attention on Jennings. His face flushed as Matt drew me closer to him. At the announcement that I was his mate, I thought Jennings would interrupt. He opened his mouth as if to say something and his fists clinched at his sides. But, before he could do or say anything, the man at his side leaned in and whispered something to him. Jennings’ head jerked once in acknowledgement. Before I could signal Danny, he nodded and had one of Teresa’s pack move closer in. The man who had spoken to Jennings hadn’t entered with him. How many others here reported to him and we didn’t know it--yet?

“I have given the children my blessing,” my grandmother said, climbing the steps to stand before us. She hugged first me and then Matt. “The saddest day of my life was when I learned of the deaths of my daughter and son-in-law. Finn’s disappearance soon after left a hole in my heart I wasn’t sure would ever be filled. I knew why she’d run away from the only home she’d known and agreed with her reasons. But she’s home now, here with Matt and his clan, and it is my hope this will bring our two clans even closer than before.”

Tears filled my eyes and I blinked them away as she turned back to me. We hugged once more and then she stepped back, making room for Jerrod Young, clan leader from New Mexico. One by one, the six clan leaders who’d approached the platform with my grandmother added their voices to hers. They welcomed me as a member of the clan and as Matt’s mate. They spoke of the strong leaders my parents had been and their confidence Matt and I would carry on the tradition here. The fact that they, like my grandmother, represented some of the largest and most influential clans wasn’t lost on anyone there.

That seemed to be especially true where Jennings was concerned. He’s face flushed a dark purple. The muscles of his jaw worked and it was easy to guess he was hard pressed to keep from interrupting. Part of me was thrilled to see it. Anger made almost everyone careless. But it also worried me because I had no idea what he’d do or say before the night was over.

I glanced to my right and signaled to Sharon where she stood a couple of steps away. “If there’s trouble, get my grandmother out of here. Matt and I will take care of ourselves,” I said softly as she came to my side. She nodded once and stepped back.

“Thank you,” Matt said as the clan leaders returned to their places at the foot of the steps. “I’ll admit I am a very lucky man to have Finn standing at my side. Not only does she come from one of the most respected bloodlines of our kind, but she is one of the most powerful alphas I’ve had the honor to know.”

“You honor me by accepting me as your mate,” I said. I stepped forward and repeated what I had done a few days earlier. I dropped to my hands and knees, showing my submission to him as clan leader. However, I looked him in the eyes. It was a show of equality. He smiled and knelt before me, his hands reaching out and lifting me to my knees.

“You need never subject yourself to me, Finn. You are my mate, my equal. Together we will lead our clan and protect our people.”

Together we stood. It might have seemed like a scene out of a “B” movie, but it seemed right. I smiled and lifted my face to his kiss.

 “No!”

Jennings’ voice rose in challenge. As he stepped forward, Danny’s and Teresa’s people moved closer. Matt’s grip on my hand tightened as he pulled me against him. I knew all that even as my focus narrowed to include little more than Jennings.

“Yes,” Matt said simply. His calm response was a sharp contrast to the anger in Jennings’ challenge.

“No,” Jennings repeated firmly. “Everyone here knows of my claim on Meg Finley. She is my rightful mate. It was witnessed and accepted years ago by our clan before she was taken from me by my enemies. I’m here now to reclaim what’s mine.”

His? The man had lost his mind. It had been bad enough when he tried making that claim before the Northern California clan. But to advance it here, in my own home territory was beyond insane, especially since there were those here who could put the lie to what he said. Well, if he thought I’d go along quietly like a good little girl, he had another thing coming.

I gave Matt’s hand a quick squeeze before releasing it and stepping forward. I finally had the chance I’d wanted for so long. I was about to take control of my life back.

“You’re a fool, Jennings.” Derision dripped from my voice and he stiffened. “You may have convinced yourself that’s what happened, but it was far from it. Look around you. See the faces of those who were present that night, those who protested your attempts to violate shifter and normal laws by claiming me. Recognize that they are just as willing to speak against such action now as they were then.”

I took another step and stared down at him.

“I was fifteen that night and my parents had been dead less than a week. You’d managed to secure clan leadership because the rest of us were grieving. When you tried to say it was your right as mate to claim me as mate, these people stood up to you. They reminded you of my age, of the deaths of my parents and the need to grieve as well as of the laws your claim violated. Your response was to say none of that mattered. You were clan leader and your word was law.”

There were a few gasps at that.

“You turned those who disagreed, those who simply tried to protect me, out of the clan. That was more than enough to convince me that you didn’t care about anything but your own desires. You proved that later that night when you cornered me in my parents’ home and tried to rape me.” Now I bared my teeth, daring him to deny it. “I bet you remember that night as well as I do. Especially since you see the scars I left you with every time you look in the mirror.” He reached up and touched the scar bisecting his left eyebrow before pulling his hand down and frowning.

“My only mistake was that I let you scare me. I was young and hurt and didn’t think anyone would believe me if I told them what you’d done. So I ran. I cut myself off from friends and family because you proved yourself to be nothing more than a child molester. Your response was to send trackers after me and keep them after me all these years.”