Obsessions (15 page)

Chapter
19

Jim Sanders watched from the cliff, as Zoey and two
others exited the plane. Shifting back into his human form, Jim nodded for his
Enforcers to shift too.

“Find out who the other two are and where they’re
going?” he demanded of one of his men. The man shifted and trotted off through
the woods. As they sat looking over the ridge, Jim could feel his mate getting
closer.

The wolves parted for Metilda Blackwood as she came
out of the woods, they tried to keep their distance from her normally, as they
didn’t want to feel her anger when she lashed out at them. She looked down at
the plane. “Who is the witch with the Malone girl?”

Jim Sanders looked up at his mate in surprise. “Witch?
I don’t know. I didn’t know she was a witch. How can you tell?” he asked.

Metilda turned toward her mate running her hands up
and down his naked chest. “I can see her energy and she is very powerful.”

Metilda ran her tongue up his chest then grabbed
Jim’s hair pulling him to her to kiss him. “I want her dead too. We don’t need
any problems when we take over. You understand my love?” Metilda looked deep
into Jim’s eyes and started chanting.

A rush of power came out of her flowing inside of
Jim as she finished her chant. He jerked his head up and howled at the sky then
shuddered from the pain the magic delivered to his body. The wolves watching
stepped back. They could sense the evil in the magic as it swirled around and
then attacked their Alpha’s body. The pack wasn’t expecting Metilda Blackwood
to be so strong. Her magic was too strong for the wolves after she got her
hooks into their Alpha. She knew exactly how to control the pack and fear was
the name.

Before they could react, she threw out her hands as
the magic lunged toward the other wolves. The magic immediately attacked their
bodies rendering them under her control. She watched as they flopped over onto
their sides in pain, giggling at their moans as the dark magic entwined into their
system making them tremble.

Grabbing her phone out of her pocket, Metilda dialed
the number she had memorized. “Mother? We may have a problem. The Malone girl
showed up with a witch, and I’ve never seen energy like hers before. I may need
for you to co—”

She paused, listening.

“Yes mother. I understand. No mother, I can handle
it.” Metilda felt fury rise in her body from her mother’s abusive comments. Her
mother was mean. She was never good enough or given credit for her plans.
Claudia Blackwood would never love or show any type of loving emotion toward
her. Her mother would send someone else if she didn’t get the job done and who
knew what she would do to her if she failed.

* * * *

London moved closer to the car windows when Jamie
stopped at the guarded fence. The fence looked like the one that was guarding
the White house. Guards stood at the entrance and looked in when the vehicle
stopped. They eyed Donnie and her but smiled when they observed Zoey sitting in
the seat. Acres and acres of trees passed by as the vehicle traveled down the
road. It was beautiful how the trees cascaded over the road.

She leaned forward and caught sight of a small cabin
sitting next to a lake. “Beautiful.” London whispered as Donnie followed her
gaze. The cabin was simply breathtaking as Donnie and she held their mouth open
at how charming it was.

“London this will be your home. I hope you like it.
Ryder did say that he had some stuff he needed to finish before you moved in. I
think you will like the changes.” Zoey explained as the SUV came to a stop in
front of the cabin.

Jamie got out and opened the door. He held out his
hand for London to take. Graciously she took his hand and gazed at the place
she would be calling home. London looked around at the beautiful scenery. Her
eyes were immediately drawn to the beautiful vibrant flowers sprouting up in
the flowerpots sitting on the porch.

The cabin sat on the edge of a lake with the most
spectacular views of the mountains. London loved the cozy atmosphere of sitting
on the front porch in the rocking chairs. This new home was something out of a
fairy tale. She couldn’t wait to get unpacked so she could curl up on her front
porch and read her books.

“You okay London?” Jamie asked as London continued to
stare at the cabin. She glanced over at him when she noticed that she was still
holding his hand.

“Uh sorry, Jamie.” Her face turned crimson red with
embarrassment, as she shyly released his hand.

“It’s great here. I think you will like it,” Jamie added.

“It is simply beautiful. I think I will love it too
Jamie,” London whispered. She couldn’t wait to get inside to see how it was
decorated, if it was anything like the outside, she knew she would love it.
Zoey got out of the vehicle and grabbed London’s hand pulling her toward the
front door.

Zoey opened the door allowing London and Donnie to
go in first. Donnie couldn’t contain his excitement when he stared at the new
leather furniture and seventy-inch TV. “Holy shit!” He looked back at London
with the biggest smile on his face. “I hope my cabin looks like this!”

Jamie laughed as he walked through the door. “It
does. I escorted the delivery of your furniture yesterday. We got it finished
in time so whenever you are ready I can take you and Zoey to your own cabins.”

“Love ya London, but I’ll see you tomorrow. I’m out
of here.” Donnie jumped up and down then ran out the door to the SUV.

“I guess he’s ready,” Jamie chuckled. “London, the
phone in the kitchen has all the numbers you should need to get in touch with
any of us. The kitchen was stocked yesterday, but if you need anything, just
give me a call. I put your luggage in the master bedroom. I’m glad you’re here.
I know Zoey is excited and Ryder too.” Jamie winked at London as he walked out
the door.

“Thank you Jamie. I’m excited about being here too.”
London tried to act indifferent when he mentioned Ryder. However, Zoey
continued to watch her carefully. She wondered if her best friend realized that
something had happened between her and Ryder. She hoped she didn’t since she
wasn’t having anything else to do with him. The day they kissed and made out for
a few minutes was a mistake.

The master bedroom was something of a masterpiece.
Whoever decorated the place didn’t leave anything out, and they must have cost
a fortune. Some of the pieces in her room she had seen in some decorating
magazines. She didn’t want to sit on anything and mess it up, but this was her
home now and she needed to get her clothes unpacked. London put her suitcase on
the bed and began to unload it. She had just closed her suitcase when she got
the feeling she was being watched. She looked up at the door and screamed.
Ryder was standing at the door watching her.

Ryder jumped when she screamed, but London reacted
before she knew it was him. He looked surprised when she picked up a vase and
hummed it at his head. She had forgotten to lock the door before she started
unpacking, and her heart was beating so fast she thought she was going to pass
out.

“Oh my god, Ryder, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know it
was you standing there. You scared the shit out of me. I’m sorry about the
vase. I will buy a new one. I…I…I’m sorry.” She couldn’t stop apologizing.

“It’s okay. Really. I thought you knew I was
standing here or heard me come in the door. I’m sorry I scared you,” Ryder
responded quickly as he came to stand in front of the bed. London didn’t like
the look in his eyes as he looked down at her bed. She walked by him quickly so
she could find a broom and sweep up the broken vase.

Ryder’s eyes arched up as she practically ran past
him. She knew she couldn’t be in the bedroom alone with him. Finding a broom, she
rushed back to the door where the vase had broken.

“Here let me do that. It was my fault that this
happened,” Ryder offered.

“No really it is my fault. You just scared me. I
should have reacted differently. I know better than that. Did you need something?”
London asked.

She faltered for a minute as he stepped closer to
her. She couldn’t let him get any closer. She needed to keep her distance from
the man. He was sex on wheels and he knew the effect he had on her. She made a
promise to herself and she planned to keep it. Before she could say something,
a knock sounded at the door. London quickly walked away from Ryder and opened it
to a smiling Nolan Banks.

She couldn’t help but smile at the man. He was so
good-looking but he didn’t do anything for her libido. He was still pretty to
look at and fun to be around.

“Hello beautiful.” Nolan held out a bouquet of red
roses.

London giggled at the look on his face. He was the
biggest flirt. “Thank you Nolan.  They’re beautiful.”

She reached out and took the flowers then motioned
for him to enter. She heard the growl when she accepted the flowers, but she
wasn’t going to let him control this situation. She didn’t even turn around and
look at Ryder when he growled; instead she smelled the flowers and walked back
into the kitchen to look for a vase.

She didn’t have to be a shifter to hear the
conversation going on in the living room. “What the hell are you doing here,
Nolan?” Ryder barked.

“Why do you care, Ryder? You already said she is
nothing to you.” Her heart fell as Nolan described how Ryder felt about her.
She already knew the truth but it still hurt hearing it. All she could see was
anger. He played with her like a mouse. She was nothing to him. Well, two could
play that game.

Without skipping a beat, she walked back in the room
smiling as she held the vase with the roses in it. She placed them down on the
table then grabbed Nolan by the head and placed the biggest kiss on his lips.
She could tell by the growling behind her that Ryder was pissed off. If Ryder didn’t
care about her then she would be a little wicked and flirt right back with
Nolan.

“Thank you again for the flowers. They are simply
beautiful. I love them.” She smiled wickedly as Nolan tried to get control of
himself. She glanced over at Ryder and the look of murder was shooting from his
eyes toward Nolan.

London felt resentful and wanted to hurt him back.
She glanced back at Ryder after she kissed Nolan. His eyes widened then
narrowed with pure anger. She didn’t care anymore. Like he said, she didn’t
mean anything to him.

“Well beautiful, I should bring you flowers more
often. How about you go out with me Friday night?” Nolan asked.

“You got a date, handsome. Just tell me what time I
need to be ready,” London quipped.

“Uhm well, about seven will be fine.” Nolan acted
shocked that she accepted and didn’t know what to do next.

“Well you got it. Now if you two gentlemen will
excuse me I have a lot to do to finish unpacking. So if you could let me get to
it I would appreciate it.” London walked to the door and opened it waiting for
Nolan and Ryder to leave.

She watched the dreadful look appear on Ryder’s
face. Apparently, the man had never been turned down before, or asked to leave
a woman’s house. Well today was the day of firsts. The look on his face was
priceless, but she thought her remarks hit the right spot. She was on a roll
now and out of her comfort zone, but she was going to continue living and that
meant without Ryder Malone trying to play her.

Nolan and Ryder walked toward the door. Nolan walked
out first and Ryder hesitated before he walked out. She knew he wanted to say
something but she didn’t give him a chance. Once his feet were across the
threshold of the door she closed and locked it quickly.

London ran to the window and watched Nolan get in
his truck and leave. She watched Ryder who was still standing on the porch in a
daze. She couldn’t help but laugh at how shocked he looked.
Ryder doesn’t
want me. He just doesn’t want anyone else to have me. Game on Mr. Malone. I
plan to beat you at this one.
She wasn’t going to allow Ryder to control
who she dated.

Chapter
20

Zoey pulled up in front of their new office, and
pointed at the other building that lined Main Street. “Every Alpha has an
office on Main Street. That one next to ours is Ryder’s office, and I’m sure his
assistant will be over soon. I love Will, he’s so sweet and I know you’ll like
him too.”

With perfect timing Donnie pulled up next to Zoey’s
vehicle, smiling as he got out. “Are you two going to sit in the car all day?”

The crazy man was dressed to a tee, in dark pants
and a white button up shirt left open at the top. His jacket was hanging over
his shoulder, and making him look like a
GQ
model.

Zoey and London looked at each other then burst out
in giggles. They both mouthed Calvin Klein at the same time. It was great to be
here with both of her best friends. Her job would be so much more interesting
than working for Landon’s Computer Company and she couldn’t wait to start.

“Hey before we start taking stuff inside, let me show
you the offices. I kinda already picked an office for myself. I hope you don’t
mind. I already had this office before you agreed to be my partner, but I was
thinking of you and gave you the biggest office. It’s the one with more space
because I knew you would want multiple computers to work on everything. I also
have a smaller office that GQ can work in or however you want to set it up,”
Zoey said, and London smiled putting her hand on Zoey’s shoulder.

“I trust your judgment. I just need an office big
enough to put the computers all on one table, so I don’t have to go from room
to room. Oh and a desk, so I can do some of the work. Now stop worrying, Zoey.
I will love whatever you have put together.” London grabbed the car door and
got out when she realized that Zoey was starting to tear up. Moving to Donnie’s
side, they stood shoulder to shoulder and stared at the building. It was really
nice. Actually, the whole street was nice.

Impetuously, she hugged Donnie.

“What was that for?  Not that I’m complaining or
anything but just asking,” he asked, as she released him.

“I'm just happy to be here. Plus, I’m tickled pink to
be working with you, goofy,” London said.

“Wow, baby girl. I’m tickled pink to be here too,” Donnie
snickered. His expression tightened around the eyes as if he was going to cry
too. She needed to stop this and get inside before they all broke out in tears.

Zoey got out of the car with the keys in her hand. “Okay
let’s do this.”

Together, they walked through their new front door.
The name wasn’t on it yet, but that was first on the agenda today. Zoey opened
the door to an area that had a desk in it, and chairs sitting against the
walls. Moving quickly through the reception room, she opened the first office.

“Is this my office?” Donnie asked, excitedly as Zoey
nodded. The office already had a beautiful cherry wood desk with a TV up on the
wall and a bookcase that sat in the corner. It also had its own attached
bathroom, and they watched as Donnie opened the door and started jumping up and
down. “Yes, yes, yes! It has a bathroom. My own bathroom! I love you, Zoey. I
love you, girl,” he yelled running up to Zoey and hugging her neck.

“It doesn’t take much to please him. Now let’s move
to the next one,” Zoey directed, pointing down the hall.

London’s office was already decorated, with a sofa
that sat near the door, and pictures of wolves hanging on the wall. The images
were simply stunning, and she realized that the wolves were bigger than one would
see in the wild or a zoo. She assumed they were of her new pack, but she would
ask Zoey about it later. The space was large, and it smelled sweetly of her
friend.

“Great decorating, Zoey,” she commented.  She was
excited that the office already had a big table set inside with three computer
screens sitting on them. A beautiful desk sat on the other side. It was pretty—if
an office could be considered pretty.

That was the moment it hit her, that they were
really doing this. Going into business together and learning to play with the
big dogs.

“It’s so pretty Zoey. You did a good job. I love it,
I really do.”

“I’m so excited ya’ll are here,” Zoey squealed at
the top of her lungs, launching herself at London. Donnie joined them and the
three of them held on to each other jumping up and down.

She loved these two people and the thought of having
to return to the backstabbing, thieving people at Landon made her head hurt.
She knew this was the best decision she ever made.

When she started feeling light headed, she stopped
jumping and looked to the door. A man stood at the door laughing as the three
grown people jumped up and down like little kids. The first thing she noticed
was how good looking he was and how he looked just like Donnie. They appeared
to have the same taste in clothes, as he appeared to be wearing
Calvin Klein
as well. Must be something in the water here, she had yet to see an ugly man.

“Hey, I’m sorry we got a little carried away with
seeing our offices for the first time,” London explained.

“Will!” Zoey shouted, running over to the man, and
jumping into his arms.

“Zoey! I love the offices! Welcome to 304 Main
Street also known as Alpha Street,” Will announced, his attention shifting
immediately when he saw Donnie. Walking past her and right up to Donnie, he
held out his hand, “Hello, I’m Will Chambers.”

She could see the sparkle in Donnie’s eyes as soon
as he spotted Will.
Now this could be something
, London thought. Then
Donnie did something she never thought he would do. He played it off as if he
was an everyday guy. Donnie flirted with everyone and that means everyone. The
damn mailman didn’t even escape the charm of Donnie Morgan. The man could flirt
with the best of them, but in this moment, Donnie stuck his hand out, and said,
“Hello.” Before he looked away from Will and casually stated, “I’m going to get
some of the stuff from the car. Be right back.”

London and Zoey were in shock, they’d never seen Donnie
act so rude to anyone especially someone as good looking as Will.

“So Will, what do you do?”  London asked, hurrying
to break the tension in the air.

Will, stood motionless still staring at the door as
he spoke, “Uhm…I’m Ryder Malone’s assistant. I just wanted to welcome you to
A.S.”

“A.S.?” London blinked in confusion at the
abbreviation.

“Alpha Street,” Will whispered, before turning back
toward Zoey. “I need to get back before Ryder sends out a search party.”

He bolted for the door like he couldn’t get out of
the room fast enough, and he was gone before London could say good-bye or nice
meeting you.

“What was that?” she asked a baffled Zoey.

“I’ve never seen Donnie be rude to anyone, but I
don’t know him like you. Is that normal for him?” Zoey asked.

“I’ve never seen him like that. He’s never been that
nervous around a man before. I think he really liked Will and it threw him for
a loop,” London responded.

“Really? I bet that’s it. He looked like he’d seen a
ghost, then wham he bounced out of here like the hounds of hell were on his
ass.” Zoey said, shaking her head, “I don’t know him like you do so it could be
that. It certainly appeared that Will liked what he saw.”

London turned toward the door. “Okay girl let’s get
this office set up and start work.”

London and Zoey got started moving the table and
desk around the room looking for the perfect spot. Hours passed before all the
offices were set up and in working order. All they needed now was a little
touch of their own style.

She wanted to get started, and she needed to put
what she had on paper in the computer and start with their newest project. If
they wanted to be successful, she needed something to sell.

London heard a buzzing but couldn’t figure out what
it was. Finally, it dawned on her that it was her cell phone vibrating. Looking
around, she located her phone inside her desk drawer.

“Hello?” London answered.

“London baby, it’s Me-Len.” She smiled at her
grandmother’s soft voice.

“Hey Me-Len,” She was excited that they were
together in the same town again.

“I want to see you. Can you come to dinner tonight
at Meryl’s house? I haven’t found a place for me to live yet, and Meryl has
been kind enough to allow me to sleep in his spare bedroom, but I miss my girl,”
Me-Len explained.

“Sure. What’s his address? Oh wait, crap, I forgot.
I rode to work with Zoey. I will have her to drop me off, and I can get a taxi
home. What time Me-Len?” London asked.

“How about you come after you get off work? A nice
home cooked meal will be good for you,” Me-Len advised.

“Okay, I’ll see you then. Do I need to bring someth—”

“No…no. I just want to see you. I miss you so much.”
Me-Len interrupted.

“I will be there with bells on. And Me-Len, I miss
you too,” she whispered into the phone. She hadn’t realized just how much she
missed her grandmother, until now. Hanging up the phone she went back to work
before she started thinking too much and her thoughts led to Ryder Malone.

* * * *

Zoey pulled down the road that Meryl lived on, as London
looked around at the pretty neighborhood. She was truly happy for her
grandmother. It had been too long since Me-Len worried about her own happiness
first.

Zoey pulled into the driveway at Meryl’s house. The
house was white with a big front porch. She could already see that her
grandmother’s rocking chairs sat on the porch along with a ton of flowers.

“Do you need me to come back to get you?” Zoey
asked.

“Nope. I’ll get a cab home. You look tired Zo. Go
home and rest. We have a lot to do tomorrow. Love ya and great job today.”
London smiled, then grabbed the door handle and got out. She noticed when she
looked back, Zoey was laughing as she backed out of the driveway.
What is up
with that girl?

London was tired, but she wanted to see her
grandmother, so she walked up on the porch and knocked on the door. Me-Len
opened it, smiling. She grabbed a hold of London and hugged her.

“Hey baby girl. You look tired. How did the first
day go?” London hugged her back as they walked inside the house.

“Well it went great, but I am definitely tired. We
got the offices set up so tomorrow we can get down to the nitty gritty of it
all.” The smell of pot roast hit her nose as she walked further into the house.
“Something smells good in here. Is that your pot roast I smell?” London asked
the smiling Me-Len.

“I made your favorites,” Me-Len answered, beaming.

“You made mashed potatoes and green beans too?”

“Of course I did.”  Me-Len added.

 “Oh, I’m so going to enjoy this.” London followed
her into the kitchen to find Meryl standing at the stove. He put the spoon down
and greeted her with a hug.

“Hey London,” Meryl said, smiling.

“Thanks for inviting me for dinner.  It smells
great.” London could feel him, before she even saw him. She could see Meryl’s
eyes glance over her shoulder, and she turned around slowly praying that it wasn’t
him, not today. She was tired and her defenses were down.
Just not today.
The mantra she repeated over and over.

Well it was going to be one of those days.
I
guess it was too much to ask for,
London thought. There Ryder was with a
beer in his hand smiling like a Cheshire cat.

Why was he here?
He looked gorgeous and his
killer smile just did it for her, but
why was he here
? Damn it to hell
.
She could still feel the electrical current buzzing up her body. She couldn’t
even control her own body around the man. The way he looked at her confused the
hell out of her. One minute he acted as if he was attracted to her and then the
next he was out the door without so much of a good-bye.

Trying to focus, she pushed her frustration aside. She
had a date tomorrow night and she was going no matter what her body was telling
her. However, Me-Len had some explaining to do. London squeezed her
grandmother’s hand letting her know she needed to talk.

“Hello London,” Ryder said. His voice sounded
different, and it sent a shiver through her belly. Me-Len nudged her bringing
her out of the haze she was in.

“Uh…oh hello, Ryder,” London responded softly.

“Can I get you something to drink, London?” Meryl
asked. “Maybe a glass of wine?”

“Sure a glass of wine would be great unless you have
some tequila,” London joked. She wondered who else was coming to dinner
tonight.

“London let me show you the house while the men
talk,” Me-Len suggested, then grabbed London’s hand, and escorted her out of
the kitchen. She walked to the back of the house where the bedrooms were
located. Me-Len walked into a bedroom and closed the door.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know he was coming when I
called you. When I told Meryl that I had invited you to dinner he said that he
already invited Ryder over to talk about the problems he is having.” Me-Len
pulled London over to the bed and sat down. “Your expression says that you’re
not happy about Ryder being here. Is there something wrong?”