Rob takes his mug and leaves, but not before giving me a sidelong glance.
Jake waves his hand at Rob’s vacated bench. “Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” I slide into the booth and place my drink on the table. “Um… I have a problem that requires an alpha’s guidance.”
Jake squints at me. “I’m not your alpha.”
“I hope to remedy that.”
“Is that so?” Jake takes a long swallow from his glass, sets it aside, and leans forward. “You have a lot of nerve, Barker.”
Maybe Wes was right, and I should have waited until Jake was in a better mood, but it’s too late now. “I have no one else I can discuss this with.”
Jake’s scowl softens somewhat. “Alright. I’m listening, but before you ask for any guidance, I’d like to hear about your last pack; what went down, why you’re a loner, and how you wound up working for Dragonfly Spellman.”
I’ve been preparing to have this conversation with Jake, the one man who deserves to know the details. I stare down at the caramel-colored liquid in my mug, gathering my nerve.
“Let me start by answering the last part of your question. Two of Miss Dragonfly’s garden gnomes found me lying unconscious near the edge of her estate. I was bloody and bruised, but still breathing; unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for my alpha, Jarrod Huntley, who was discovered in the woods half a mile away. I’d crawled on my hands and knees, seeking help from the nearest home, when I’d collapsed on her property.
“Miss Dragonfly ordered thegnomes to carry me into her mansion, where she and her healer nursed me back to health. Once I was well, Miss Dragonfly offered me a position as her companion. She was a very kind and astute faerie; she must have realized I needed a break from the pressures of pack life so I could heal from the trauma.”
“Pressures? What sort of pressures?” asks Jake.
“The need to be looking over my shoulder, to be prepared to defend myself from bullying.”
Jake shakes his head. “That doesn’t sound like a healthy pack at all.”
When I put up my hand, Jake arches an eyebrow at my bandaged palm but nods at me to continue. “Jarrod was a good, decent man, but he wasn’t ready for the alpha role. He inherited it from his brother, who’d passed away unexpectedly six months earlier. I think Jarrod was still grieving, so he didn’t see the warning signs I did.”
“Such as?” prompts Jake.
“Such as the charming loner named Drew who turned up out of the blue, seeking entry into our pack. Jarrod was eager for new members, so he promptly accepted him, but the guy never fit in. Just the opposite in fact; he was a disrupter.”
“Is that when the bullying started?”
“Yeah. I wound up tussling with him at least once a week.” I lock eyes with Jake. “I’m no coward, but I prefer to settle things without my fists, if possible.”
“That’s not cowardice, but common sense,” grunts Jake. “Tell me, what was Jarrod’s beta doing during all this pack upheaval?”
“That’s the worst part. Jarrod had been our betawhen his brother died, and he’d left that spot vacant until the loner showed up.”
“Don’t tell me he promoted the loner into the beta role.”
Nodding, I continue. “I suppose in some ways it was a logical move, since Drew was the best fighter in our pack, next to Jarrod, but he was also a prime bully. Drew eventually challenged Jarrod to a fight, but not at a pack meet with witnesses. No… he had other plans.
“Drew told Jarrod he wanted to show him some property the pack could acquire for a new hangout. I followed behind them, remaining downwind so they couldn’t pick up my scent. When Jarrod’s back was turned, Drew and another werewolf, a complete stranger, attacked. I joined the fight, desperate to defend Jarrod, but it was too late. Jarrod went down, and I took a lot of blows, unable to fend off two aggressive werewolves. I don’t think they wanted to kill Jarrod, just scare him enough so he’d step aside and let Drew take over, but Jarrod hit his head when he fell… and he was gone.”
“Did you ever find out why Drew attacked in such an underhanded fashion? What was his ultimate goal?”
“Miss Dragonfly later learned that my old pack—the few werewolves who stuck with Drew after Jarrod’s death—had been arrested for some phony security scam. I guess they hired out as security guards and proceeded to steal from their customers.” Shrugging, I add, “You know the trouble werewolves can get into with the wrong sort of alpha. I can only assume Drew had broached the topic with Jarrod, who would have shut him down cold.”
“I’m surprised Jarrod didn’t kick him out on the spot.”
I shake my head. “Old Jarrod would have, but grieving Jarrod wasn’t fully engaged.”
“Sounds like a recipe for a full pack meltdown.” Jake grimaces, sighs, and then says, “I appreciate you telling me how it went down… and now maybe you can explain what sort of guidance you’re needing from me. I’m not making any promises, mind you, but I’m willing to hear you out.”
“Thanks.” I glance away from Jake’s piercing gaze; discussing that last fight still roils me up inside. “I didn’t think I’d make it that night.” My voice cracks just a little, and I take a fortifying breath. “As I lay there on the ground, I was consumed with regret for many things, but mostly for my fated mate.”
