Clover
Clover wanted to curse the world for throwing her another fucking curveball. Her wolf shrugged and started pushing images of Ash over her into her thoughts. Listen up, you and I are going to go rounds if you keep this shit up, Clover warned the new personality in her head, which pounded slightly from all the new smells, sounds, and enhanced view of every little thing.
“So, what’s this plan again?” Clover asked when they arrived back at Ash’s place, but he ran down the hallway next to the stairs into his office. Raymand stormed into the house making Clover jump back.
“What happened?” He growled low and sniffed the air.
“I knew it. I’m in trouble,” Patrick whimpered, and Clover picked him up.
“You saved me, Patrick. You’re not in trouble.” Clover kissed the little pup’s head and he relaxed in her arms. The alpha pulsed so much power it made her take a step back.
“He changed you?” He pointed to the pup.
“Some hunters tried to get Patrick, so I kicked some ass.” Clover didn’t meet his gaze, but she would stand her ground a bit. Raymand relaxed his stance and the wolf in her head stopped whimpering.
“Well, welcome to the pack, now where’s Ash?”
“He’s in his office. He said he might’ve found a way to track them down.” Clover pointed to the hall and Raymand stormed down without another word. This time a knock on the door gave Clover a chance to check it first. She didn’t recognize who stood behind the wood.
“Ash? Patrick?” he called out and then scratched his head. “Shit, what’s his mate’s name… Clover!” he yelled the last part. “It’s me, Drake.”
“He’s the second in command,” Patrick whispered in Clover’s ear and she opened the door.
“Sorry for the quick intro but Ash said it’s urgent.” Drake shoved his hands through brown shaggy hair.
“Wait, you’re his brother, right?” Clover caught hints of similarity in their scents and they had the same chocolate brown eyes.
“Yep, and welcome to the family.” He nodded and stepped toward the hall before stopping. “Late as usual. Come on, Zac!” he yelled, and Clover caught the footsteps coming toward the house.
Another guy strolled in, his blue eyes met Clover’s gaze for a moment. A smile lifted his lips as he bounced into the house. His black hair didn’t move an inch as he moved toward Drake.
“This better be good. Rayne’s flipping the fuck out about being alone with Annmarie.” He nodded toward Clover and the two marched down the hallway. She wanted to ask who Rayne was but didn’t have to wait long as another couple sets of footsteps sounded near the door.
With her heightened senses picking up everything it made her a bit nervous with all the new noises.
“Annmarie, come on. Oh good, I’m not the only one. Hi, Maple and Cora,” a voice called out and Patrick opened the door before Clover could stop him.
“Damn it, Patrick. It’s not safe to…” Her words died as she snatched up Patrick and found a woman with sapphire eyes watching her. Hints of power pulsed from her, and her wolf recognized it as similar to the alpha ‘s earlier.
“Oh, I’m so glad he finally found his mate.” The alpha female smiled brightly. “I’m Maple, this is Cora.” She motioned the little girl clinging to her leg.
“Rayne and Annmarie.” The second woman smiled brightly with her pregnant belly poking out of her jacket. Annmarie held similarities in her scent with her mother but Cora didn’t have the same scent as Maple.
“Clover, I want to play outside.” Patrick wiggled in his arms.
“It’s not safe right now.” Clover struggled to keep the fighting boy in her arms.
“Oh, we can all sit out front and let them play. Better in a group, right?” Maple glanced back at Rayne who shrugged.
“This shit needs to freaking end. That’s all I’m saying, and they better have a good plan.” Rayne clicked her tongue and walked onto the grass. Clover slowly set Patrick down and followed the little guy. He pulled on Annmarie’s shirt and they chased each other around while Cora followed suit after a moment. It had been the first time she had seen the little guy playing without fear.
“Ash seems pretty enthusiastic about tracking them down.” Clover didn’t know much about the women, but Tara had spoken of them before. Cora had been the first kid to escape the hunters and they had tried to capture her again. Maybe they will stay away from Patrick since they failed twice.
“So, how do you like being a wolf?” Maple asked making Clover giggle.
“Goodness it’s a lot more input and having the extra personality in my mind is a bit to get used to.” Her wolf grinned and wagged her tail. “In all honesty, I’m glad Patrick listened to Tara.” The whole having someone else in her mind and being able to smell and hear everything baffled the hell out of her.
“I think we all are.” Rayne winked and she glanced down at her belly.
“Are you ready for two little ones in your house?”
“Soon I’ll get to look forward to three.” Rayne rolled her eyes but a smile touched her lips. “I’m a bit nervous, but I know Zac will be helpful. Only took forever to get him used to a child in his house.”
“Patrick totally peed on Ash. I don’t think he’ll be ready for another kid.” Clover bit her lower lip. She did love kids and wanted a house full of little ones with love and affection surrounding every single one.
“Oh, that’s hilarious.” Maple covered her mouth as they all laughed at Ash’s misfortune. “But I think it’s an alpha male mentality, it took some convincing to keep Cora in the house and now this one’s coming our life will be turned upside down again.” Maple shrugged. “But I’m excited.”
“Well, at least our kids are in the clear, they have only tried twice to get the pups and then given up.” Rayne lifted her gaze and Clover followed it to Annmarie, Cora, and Patrick all playing. She rubbed her swelling belly.
“Let’s just hope they keep to the pattern.” Maple chewed on her lower lip and Clover hoped the same thing.
“Mom, I need some water.” Cora pulled on Maple and they walked into the house leaving Rayne with Clover. She eased onto the grass and tried her best to relax.
“So, do you ever get used to having someone else in your mind?”
“I was born with my wolf so I’ve never really lived a day without my beast. She’s always driving me crazy, one way or another.” Rayne smiled and Clover caught the sound of tires on the street. The scent of grass grew stronger and she wondered how it could be. A van with the letters DD on the side halted in front of the house.
“Did you hear that?” Rayne stiffened and kept talking but Clover didn’t really hear the rest. Clover lurched forward to protect the pups when a hand wrapped around her waist bringing the grass scent with it. The sharp pinch in her neck made her gasp. She caught an underlying scent beneath the grass but didn’t understand it.
“What the fuck?” Rayne dropped to her knees and collapsed on the ground, her eyes fluttered closed seconds later. Clover wobbled on her own legs. Before she thought it through, she grabbed the man’s hand and yanked the needle from her neck. With the added strength she slipped it from his grasp and swiped it across the guy’s throat. Blood seeped down his neck and his eyes glazed over.
She yanked out the needle, part of the liquid still sat inside the tube. Another guy ran toward her and she shoved it into his neck hitting the top of the plunger. He whimpered and fell at Clover’s feet. Dots blurred her vision and she tried to go for the kids but someone else had them. How many are there? She tried to count but her feet trembled.
“There’s only two here. You said all three would be here,” some guy hissed, and Clover opened her mouth to yell but nothing left her lungs. A layer of sand covered her tongue making it hard to speak.
Her wolf surged forward and her clothes ripped, catching one of the guy’s attention.
“Fuck it, two is better than one.” He waved to the guy holding Patrick. No! A roar vibrated through her lungs and she lurched forward. The black dots in her vision grew stronger but she raged against passing out. She took another leap and slammed into the van. Her claws sunk behind the license plate and she yanked it off. Wait, two plates hit the ground!
All the hunters were inside with Patrick and Annmarie and she was determined to get them out. The van lurched forward sending Clover into the street. Patrick! No, they can’t have him. She tried to get up, but her legs didn’t work. Echoes of yelling sounded nearby but she didn’t know exactly what they said as she slipped into unconsciousness. Damn it, not again!