Inequities (6 page)

“
Mmmm
…I could give you a hundred years to keep doing that.”

Russ kissed her shoulder and rinsed her hair. She handed over the soap and he did a quick wash of himself before turning off the shower.

“When we get home, we’ll take a real shower together and I’ll show you how much fun we can have in the water.” Russ wrapped her in a towel and dried her off.

They were done in no time and Russ called Peter on his phone, letting him know they were ready for the meeting before they went their separate ways.

The other shifters were next door so the knock came within seconds of hanging up the phone. The trio before him looked like they got little to no sleep the night before. Russ almost felt sorry for them when they looked longingly at the bed. But he didn’t know if that was because they were tired or they realised that he and Vivian had completed their mating the night before. He’d get that announcement out of the way first.

“I want to let you guys know that Vivian is now my mate and the head of our pack.”

Pete
r and Everett bared their throats as a sign of respect. Vivian’s face was a brilliant red, but she was composed as she went to each and kissed their necks.

“Thank you.” She squeezed their arms and went back to Russ’ side.

“I’ll make a formal announcement when we get back to the pack house.”

“I want to stay,” Greycen said quietly.

“You’ll be welcome in our home, Greycen Sheppard. I’m hoping you will continue on as Vivian’s guard.”

“Russ!” Vivian protested.

“You’re my mate and head of our pack. Just as in yours, you need protection.”

“I don’t want—”

Russ held up a hand before pulling her in close. “It won’t be the same. You’re free to come and go as you please. Greycen will be back up. That’s all.”

She nodded against his chest, taking it better than he thought she would. And it wasn’t like he could deny Greycen. Not when his mate was among his pack. That would be cruel and no one needed to go back to a den that was prejudiced against his very being.

“Now that we have that settled, let’s talk. Everett, you’ll take Peter and Greycen with you to the safe house. Let the pack know we’re safe. Vivian and I will take a different route and meet you there.”

“For the record, I don’t think this is a good idea,”
Greycen
stated.

“I agree,” Peter responded, looking almost guilty for going against his alpha’s words.

“They need to know we made it. Take the direct route,
Ev
. We won’t be far behind. I know you don’t agree and normally I would take the help in protecting Vivian, but I want to make sure she’s safe. If someone did follow us, I want them confused, which is why”—Russ paused because he knew his next words wouldn’t go over as well—“I want
Ev
in Vivian’s clothes riding behind Greycen.”

He waited for the protest to come, but it looked like he had stunned everyone. It didn’t take long and the person who spoke up was unexpected.

“No,” Peter said, his voice firm.

Russ looked at him until Peter averted his eyes. Russ saw the look Peter gave Greycen and
Ev
. He didn’t blame Peter, but there was no way he could pass for Vivian with his dark features.

“I’m sorry, Peter, but it’s the only way. You know you couldn’t pass. Vivian and
Ev
have the same colouring.”

Ev
pulled Peter to the side and spoke softly to him.
Probably reassuring the other man.
Greycen scowled, but didn’t say a word.

“I don’t like it,” was
Greycen’s
last statement before he left the room.

Russ let him go.

“
Ev
, Peter, if you see anyone following, don’t go to the safe house. Call me. I’ll do the same. Once we regroup we’ll plan our attack to get our home back.
Ev
, why don’t you go to the bathroom and change out of your clothes. I’ll bring Vivian’s in to you in a second.”

Ev
hesitated, but followed his orders. That left Peter in the room with them. He wouldn’t look Russ’ way. Vivian went over to him. She was already so much the head of the pack.

“I know you don’t want another man touching your mate when you haven’t completed the bond and I’m sorry for that. Sorry that you have to deal with this now.”

“He isn’t my mate.”

Russ looked over at Peter in disbelief.

“What do you mean? You should be able to tell by smell that he’s yours. Grey already told me you were his mate.”

“No. I’m sorry, miss.
Um—Vivian.”
Peter looked between Russ and Vivian like he was unsure how to continue. “I’m—unnatural. I won’t have a mate.”

“Who told you that bullshit?” Russ demanded.

“My
paren-pac
—
”

Russ was glad Peter didn’t finish his words.

“No one in my family would ever say that and you know it, so you’d better not be going to say our pack.
Because you’re ours.
I thought you knew that. Now stop being stupid just because your old pack were a bunch of idiots. You get it? You’re mine and there is no way the Ancients would make you
suffer
the world without a mate.”

Vivian was soothing Peter with her hand.

“Go on, Peter.
It’s okay and you know your cousin isn’t a threat.” Vivian kissed his cheek and watched with sad eyes as Peter left.

Russ couldn’t have that. Sad didn’t look good on his mate. He moved in for a swift kiss before telling her to strip.

“We can’t—” She looked towards the bathroom.

Russ threw his head back and laughed. “As much as I want to fuck your brains out right now, I just need your clothes so I can get them to
Ev
. We need to go. Make your phone call before we head out.”

Vivian laughed with him. “Oh.
Right.”

It was all Russ could do to keep his hands off her, but he managed. Once she was dressed in
Ev’s
clothes he about came unglued. He hated the other man’s scent on his woman, but he didn’t feel he had a choice. His wolf would have to deal.

Fuck, this is hard.

He tried to put as much of his scent as he could on Vivian.
Rubbing his body against hers.
It still wasn’t nearly enough, but they really did need to get going. From a distance,
Ev
wasn’t too bad of a double for Vivian. He just hoped if anyone was following they wouldn’t see the too short jeans or sweater.

“Let’s go.” Russ led them out the door. He’d only rented the rooms for one night and left the keys behind on the TV stand. No need for any more contact with outsiders.

It didn’t take long for goodbyes. The trio of men headed out right away. Russ watched them pull off and wished them a safe journey.

* * * *

Ryerson grinned. They had the bastard. Idiot had used his credit card at a motel a few hundred miles from the pack house. He’d have the alpha dead and Vivian back where she belonged in no time flat. This was personal. He’d sent the rest of his brothers back home. No need for them to see how he obtained Vivian or have them watch him kill her. He wanted to be in charge, not have a revolt. They were tasked with taking the message back to the den that he would return soon with the princess.

His plans had grown overnight. Once he had the foxes under his power he’d eliminate the strong and make the weak bow to him. The power would be his. And who needed some vixen to help him control it? Magic flowed through his body. Granted, it was a temporary fix, but the drug flowed through his body making him feel ten feet tall.

Never would he tell the others that he’d found the ultimate source of power. A potion made by a shifter he knew.
Dead now.
No need for him when he had the formula to the greatest rush. It let him control others and they didn’t even know it. Lucky for him the ingredients were pretty easy to obtain, but it would take work. Work he wasn’t going to do.

That’s what the others were for. The kingdom would be his alone. A harem would await his return, he was sure of it. Who needed a nagging mate when he could have the camp’s sluts at his tender mercies?

He didn’t take the drug often. No way was he going to become addicted, but he’d needed it today to convince the others to leave. He needed another outlet for the power. Fucking would be good, but he didn’t have time for that. He’d settle for destruction. Too bad he’d already left the wolves’ place. That would have been fun to destroy. He’d left Sanders there to report back if the wolves returned. It wouldn’t be as fun to have someone else do the damage.

Why the fuck did the wolves have to live in the middle of nowhere? They were shifters for god’s sake. They could live anywhere. Or take over a fucking city. Ryerson hated the dirt and wide expanse of nothingness. He needed a city.
A place that pulsed with action.
Home.
That was what he wanted. Those fuckers had kept him from it for too long. A tree was his only option so he extended a hand and let loose the power. An explosion rent the air. Not that it did too much for him. There was no one around to see his power.

Shit. Ryerson went back to his SUV and pointed it in the direction of the hotel. Too bad he hadn’t thought to send someone after the group who left on the motorcycles. He was pretty sure Vivian was with them.

He’d been too busy with Bart. Rest his soul. He had compassion. Well, some. Bart would have had to die eventually. He was too strong in his fox.

Ryerson could only hope the wolf stayed in place. It was the calm before his storm. The Wrath of Ryerson would be unleashed. His laughter carried on the wind.

* * * *

Russ stopped at the local discount store. They should have the disposable phones. Not that he cared if they were tracked through his phone or credit card. He wanted the bastards to find them so he could get this over with and go home. Get settled with his mate. He’d had enough drama to last a lifetime.

“What are you thinking?” Vivian invaded his thoughts. Not that she was ever far from them.

“That you’ll look great sprawled naked across my bed, writhing underneath me,” he whispered in her ear.

Vivian’s face flared red and Russ grinned. Red was a good colour for her. He’d have to keep her that way.

“Ah—well then.” Vivian laughed and entwined their fingers.

“The phones look to be over there.
Should be a disposable one.
We’ll call your family and then head out. I don’t want to stick around here too long. I want you safe before I confront Ryerson.”

“If that’s the case, why didn’t you have me go with the others and head out on your own?” Vivian questioned.

“I wanted a little more time with you. And a good leader knows you can’t fight alone. Once we get to the safe house we’ll regroup and get a fight plan together. Hopefully by the time we get there my men will already have it worked out.”

They reached the phones and Russ grabbed one and went to pay with Vivian close by his side. Once they got to the parking lot he handed the phone over for Vivian to activate it. In mere minutes she had the phone to her ear saying hello to someone on the other end.

“Hello, Mom. Yes. It’s me.”
A pause.
“I’m fine. Yes, so is
Ive
. Greycen showed up as well. Is Dad there?” Vivian waited for a response.

Russ hated not hearing both sides of the conversation. Hated not knowing what they could be saying to Vivian.

“Speaker is
fine,
just get him—oh hi, Dad. Listen, I don’t have a lot of time.” She was interrupted. “No. I’m good. No I’m not under duress.” Vivian rolled her eyes at him and smiled. “I need you to call Ryerson back home. No. I’m not coming with him. I found—” Vivian looked at him again. “I found my mate and I’m going to stay here.”

Russ’ heart warmed at hearing her say the words.
His mate.
Staying here.
Music to his ears.
She was talking again.

“I know you picked him and he’ll be disappointed, but you know as well as I do that a mate is a big deal. I’m staying. I will never be with Ryerson. Dad, you could always make him your heir. I’m—I’m happy here.
Ive
and Greycen are staying too.”

Vivian wrapped up the call and handed him the phone.

“Well?” he asked.

“They aren’t completely happy, but they promised to call Ryerson home. But I really don’t think he’ll listen. I’ll call again when we get to your safe house to see what Ryerson’s response is. My parents are good people, mostly, but Ryerson has some sway over them. It wasn’t always so bad at home.”

Russ hugged Vivian to him, offering her a little bit of comfort.

“All right, let’s get going. The boys should be close to the house by now as long as they didn’t run into any complications. I don’t want to be too far behind them. The roads have been clear so I don’t think we have a tail. And there was no time to plant tracking devices. We should be good to go.”

“Thank you.”