Pack Alpha (10 page)

“I believe we have an unwanted guest.” Logan kept his voice low so only his Alpha would hear.

Gage watched Greg kiss Marissa’s cheek in a brotherly gesture. “Who?” he asked, distracted.

“Marissa’s ex. The Alpha’s son.”

Shock had him giving his full attention to Logan. “Where? What did she say?” Gage had shared more with Logan than even Marissa knew. He trusted Logan with his life and in order to protect Marissa his second needed to be fully aware of the situation. He glanced around the yard, trying to spot the guy.

“She was upset, although she tried to hide it,” Logan told him. “He didn’t approach her but I could feel his gaze on us. It wasn’t a good feeling.”

“Find out what he’s doing here,” Gage ordered.

They didn’t need this trouble. Marissa deserved to have this day with her sister. It was hard but Gage was able to push down his wolf instincts that wanted to attack and protect.

This was the shifter that had hurt the woman he loved. If Gage hadn’t been an Alpha he didn’t know if he would have had enough control to stop himself from making a scene.

As he glanced about he saw his guards in position around the gathering. He always made sure that his strongest wolves were on duty during any big event.

They were a large Pack and he had to ensure that they were safe. When the entire Pack got together teenagers acted out, children could wander off, and some wolves drank too much. Gage wouldn’t take the chance of one of his Pack getting hurt.

He was never happier than at the moment that he took those precautions.

“I’ll find out,” Logan said. “But you should get over there.”

Gage nodded and turned back toward the happy couple and Marissa. A man placed his hand on Marissa’s back.

Gage didn’t hold in his growl and he stomped forward. Marissa stiffened then turned and stepped out of his reach. “Brandon,” she greeted but her eyes remained cold.

“You look beautiful, Marissa.” He placed a kiss on her cheek before he turned and shook hands with Greg. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you.” Greg glanced between the new man and Marissa, knowing, Gage was sure, that something wasn’t right but was unsure what to do.

“Congratulations, little wolf.” Brandon also kissed Elizabeth’s cheek.

“Thank you.” Elizabeth’s voice was soft. She sent her sister a panicked look. “Wh-what are you doing here, Brandon?”

“I escorted my cousin.”

Gage had seen enough. He moved in beside Marissa.

“Gage.” Her eyes pleaded with him as he stepped up to the small group.

She didn’t want a scene, Gage recognized that. He was also the Alpha, and if anything happened his Pack would step in and that would be a mess. His wolves would follow his lead and they didn’t need a riot.

The man turned to him. “Alpha.” He nodded in respect. “That was a wonderful ceremony. One of the best I’ve ever witnessed.”

Gage smiled and nodded back, running his hand over Marissa’s back then settling his arm around her waist.

She flushed but didn’t move away from him. Brandon’s eyes narrowed slightly. Gage didn’t smile but he wanted to.

“Uh… Gage, this is Brandon. He is the son of the Pack Alpha where we grew up.” Marissa shifted like she wanted to move away from him, but Gage tightened his grip.

“Nice to meet you.” Gage didn’t move.

“Actually, I am now the Pack Alpha of the territory. My father has retired,” Brandon said, keeping his eyes on her.

Gage kept calm. That announcement changed things. If Brandon was a Pack Alpha, he couldn’t challenge Gage without permission from the Council that policed the Packs. Unless Brandon attacked his Pack directly, Gage’s hands were tied. And Marissa wasn’t part of his Pack. Damn, this was just getting more and more complicated.

“Congratulations, then,” Gage told him with no feeling.

Marissa looked from one man to the other. Gage knew she was almost desperate to get away from Brandon. They would have to talk about what had happened between the two later, but right now his main objective was to help her out of her distress.

“They’re starting the reception. We should take our seats,” Gage told her, sliding his hand to hers. “If you’ll excuse us,” he said to Brandon but didn’t wait for a response.

He walked away, taking Marissa with him while Greg and Elizabeth followed.

“I get the feeling I missed something,” Greg murmured to his mate, but Gage heard him.

“That man is responsible for almost every problem we had in our old Pack.” Elizabeth’s voice held more bitterness than Gage had ever heard from her.

Marissa shrugged a shoulder and tried to pull away from Gage. He didn’t release her. He could still feel the other man’s gaze on them. He prayed that she would just give in this once. It wasn’t easy for her and he understood that, but Gage was staking his claim. She was also still trembling slightly.

“It’s going to be okay,” he murmured to her as they reached their table.

He pulled out her chair and she looked at him.

“I don’t want anything to ruin this day,” she whispered. “Please.”

Gage lifted his hand and brushed her bangs from her face. “I won’t let anything happen. Not to upset Elizabeth or hurt you. I promise.”

Marissa nodded. “Thank you.”

She sat and Gage moved immediately to sit beside her, relieved when Logan filled the spare chair on the other side.

Seated between Gage and Logan, Marissa was safe enough for now. She’d tugged her hand away when she’d sat and he wanted to claim her once again, but he didn’t press the issue. She had enough to deal with at the moment.

He glanced around. Brandon wasn’t too far from them. The other Alpha’s eyes were still on Marissa.

He was hanging on by a thin shred of control. His heart raced and his blood boiled in anger toward Brandon for everything Marissa had been through. Plus, suspicion as to what he was even doing here.

He peered over at Logan and could see the same feelings were going through his second. Whether Marissa was part of the Pack or not, she belonged to Gage.

He had never been so close to turning because of loss of control in front of any members of his Pack. He glanced around and nodded at the Pack Enforcers. It was their job to protect their Alpha. Each one was keeping a close eye on their leader, sensing something was not right. Gage was warning them to be on alert.

Marissa scooted her chair closer to him. Under the table, she placed her hand on his knee. “Look at me, Gage,” she whispered.

He did and she smiled.

“I’m okay. Please don’t start anything.”

Not caring who was watching, Gage framed her face with both hands. “I won’t if he doesn’t.”

Marissa dropped her gaze. “Please, Gage.”

She wasn’t comfortable with public displays. He understood that even if he didn’t like it. He dropped his hands from her face. “He’s not to get near you alone. Do you understand?”

Marissa nodded.

“Marissa.” His voice was a low growl. He needed her to say the words.

“I understand,” she told him quietly.

“Make sure, Marissa. You have no idea of the consequences,” he warned.

“I promise, Gage.”

With that, he relaxed next to her. What would happen was going to depend on Brandon. Gage was Alpha of this territory and he had a lot of Pack to protect. He wouldn’t let an insult go. He had to prove he was strong. And he was. Brandon might have been named Alpha but Gage doubted that he’d earned the title.

Gage, on the other hand, had been trained since birth to take over for his father. His time in the military had given him the leadership skills that couldn’t be taught. With one of the largest territories to protect, Gage kept up with all the exercises and fighting he could.

He even depended on some of his friends from other Packs to help him maintain the safety and care of his Pack. One of the scariest Enforcers in the country was Gage’s best friend. Cain visited often and they always trained in both human and shifted form. Brandon might be an Alpha but his body was soft and he didn’t have the same power that Gage knew radiated off him.

Brandon was untrained and untested. Gage was just looking for a reason to put the pup in his place.

Chapter Six

Marissa intended to keep her promise. She didn’t want trouble for anyone and this was most definitely not the time or place. She didn’t know why Brandon would even come to Elizabeth’s mating ceremony, but he couldn’t touch them. She told herself that over and over again. She was safe.

The seating placed her with Gage and Logan while members of her and Elizabeth’s old Pack took up two tables across the yard. The other tables were filled with Gage’s Pack. Everyone was behaving properly, but one wrong move from either Alpha could spell disaster. Wolves were territorial about almost everything, but particularly about their women.

Gage or Logan stayed with her the entire time. After pictures had been taken, dinner served and cake cut, the dancing began. Marissa danced with Gage, then Logan, but her attention was never too far from the man in the back keeping his eyes on her.

She knew Gage and Logan remained just as aware of him. Gage was trying to keep Marissa from looking over, but since he was just as guilty of looking she wasn’t too worried.

Walking to get a refill of champagne, she stopped to talk to a few of the females from Gage’s Pack who had openly befriended her. Elizabeth had some great friends. Logan was talking to two of the Enforcers, but kept an eye on her from a short distance.

Marissa received her refill then turned from the table, running into Brandon. She tried to step around him, but he moved also. She searched for Gage or Logan, but they were several feet away from her, involved in conversations.

Sighing, Marissa pulled her shoulders back and met Brandon’s gaze. “What do you want?” she snapped. She had no reason to be polite. The night was ending and she would never see him again.

He had tormented her enough and Marissa was angry, and having him in front of her was bringing it all to the surface. The anger was burning away the fear she’d felt just thinking about him. She was tired of being afraid.

Brandon stepped toward her. “Interesting seeing you interact with another Pack.”

Marissa dropped her eyes out of habit, her confidence leaving her as he spoke with authority. She’d never heard that tone before.

Guess he really is an Alpha.

Although he had nowhere near the power that Gage had.

Seeming satisfied, he moved even closer. “We have a lot to talk about.”

“We have nothing to talk about,” she said to her feet.

“Oh, you are very wrong. As Alpha of the Pack, I now have access to all the data on you and your family,” Brandon said.

“So?” Marissa asked. Why would he need that? Why would he even care?

“So as your Pack Alpha—”

“You are
not
my Pack Alpha,” she interrupted. How dare he.

Lifting his hand, he brushed her hair off her face. “Actually I am.”

Marissa shook. This couldn’t be happening. “I was kicked out of the Pack. You have no power over me.”

“Well, funny thing about that. My father never turned in your papers to the Council to let them know you were leaving the Pack. As law states, a member cannot leave the Pack and go rogue without a trial or the proper paperwork. You still belong to the Pack. To me.”

“No.” Marissa stepped back, shaking her head.

No, no, no
.

She wouldn’t go back to his Pack. She’d die before ever returning to him and giving him power over her once again. It had almost killed her the last time he’d used her. Marissa could look back and see that their relationship had been nothing more than a spoiled bratty shifter wanting to piss off his daddy by banging the Pack joke. It hurt to have to admit that Brandon hadn’t loved her the way she had him.

When she’d first been chased from her home, Marissa had been sure that Brandon would come after her. It’d only taken weeks for her to realize that Brandon had no intention of going up against his father to claim her the way he’d always promised he would.

“That can’t be right,” she murmured, more to herself than him.

Brandon laughed. “Yes, it’s true. And by Wolf law, I have full control over you for your safety and wellbeing.”

“You don’t know anything about laws. You are a liar just like your father.”

Anger flashed in his eyes and Marissa felt true fear. Her throat went dry while her heart pounded. Reaching out, he grabbed her arm. It hurt and she knew his touch would leave a bruise. Marissa frantically looked around for Gage or Logan, not seeing either.

“No one’s going to come to your rescue this time.” He yanked her to him.

His breath fanned against her cheek. She clenched her eyes closed. How? How had such an awesome event led to this? She’d just wanted to watch her sister and dance with Gage.

“And be careful of your words. I will not let you disrespect my father.”

“Let me go!” Marissa desperately tried to pull away from him, the need to run and hide almost overbearing.

“Or what?” Brandon ran his cheek over her hair. “You are mine. And you will be coming back to the territory with me.”

Tears filled Marissa’s eyes. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be. “No.”

“What? Don’t want to leave your lovers?” he spat at her. “Just how many of the wolves here have you spread your legs for?”

Marissa shook her head and again tried to pull away.

“I already know you are fucking the Alpha and his Beta. Is it just those two or did you take them all?”

As he shook her, Marissa’s head snapped back painfully. She heard a growl before she was knocked away from him. Peering up from where she’d fallen, she saw a blur of movement as two males went down on the ground.

It took a moment for Marissa to recognize the man fighting with Brandon as one of Gage’s guards, not Gage. That was both good and bad. If Gage had attacked Brandon there would be hell to pay. But she didn’t want to see this poor guard get in trouble when he had saved her.

“Stop!” she yelled to the two men.

They didn’t hear her…or chose to ignore her.

It wasn’t until there was a second growl and Gage ordered, “Stop,” that all movement ceased around her.