Clover
Clover looked at her stomach and winced hating the way it stuck out even more than a year ago. “Do I really want to go on a run tonight?” A few black curls fell from her bun when she bent down to tie her shoes. After two long months of trying to lose the extra damn weight she gained during college, she wanted to throw in the towel. She had an awesome job, she loved baking cakes, but it also didn’t help her in the weight department. She grabbed her keys. Her dark skin made her blue shorts seem bright. Her white shirt helped her to stay visible in the night. She walked out of the house, locking the door behind her before bouncing down a flight of metal steps. Instead of taking her normal route to the right, Clover switched it up by turning left. She hoped the change helped her to feel better. Part of her wished she had been born with a wolf inside her body, then she could be skinny almost instantly after running a few dozen laps in wolf form.
Tara never had issues with gaining weight during college and she still bragged about it. Even offered to change Clover but when she heard the risks, she decided against it. Death! Kind of a big risk there! Clover turned down toward a nice neighborhood close to her apartment and picked up the pace.
“What I really need is some excitement in my life,” she hissed to herself as she pushed her legs harder. Tara had to drag her out of the house to do anything other than deliver her cake creations.
Werewolves had stepped out of the supernatural closet, but Tara told her the bears and other shifters were waiting. For what, Clover didn’t know, and she didn’t question it.
She came up to a cream-colored house on the corner. A scream rent the air and Clover froze before her next stride. A shiver zipped down her spine. Clover turned toward the house. A woman struggled to get away from a man. Her heart raced in her ears making it hard to think. Before she second-guessed her choice, Clover ran into the house to help. If she had a wolf she’d be quicker and heal if she was on the other end of a blade or gun. She shoved down the thought as the sound of a crying boy filled her ears.
“Patrick, shift and run!” the woman yelled and a little boy around three with cute chubby cheeks sobbed on the stairs. Light bounced into her eyes and she turned slightly seeing the long blade sink into the woman’s chest. The large silver handle rested in her torso.
A thud filled the house and Clover pulled her gaze from the female and caught dark eyes staring at her.
Clover’s heart leapt to her throat. Holy shit, what did I get myself into? His hand lifted with another blade as he stood over the fallen mother.
The boy would be next.
Only her weak body stood in their way of hurting the pup. She bolted up the two steps and grabbed the little boy.
“Someone is taking the kid!” the male with dark eyes yelled and lurched for Clover. A few toys on the ground tripped him up giving Clover the edge. She held onto the crying little boy and ran like hell. Blood raced to her ears and sweat beaded on her forehead. You’re not fast enough to protect this child! She pushed down the inner voice and glanced at the boy, his eyes were redder than a fire truck while his sweaty hands clung to her neck.
Footsteps followed her but she didn’t dare look back. She tightened her grip on the little boy and turned the corner. A large black duely truck came into view and she ducked behind the double set of tires. I should keep running! No, I should stay right here. Her mind raged a silent war as sweat covered her hands. Heavy breathing filled her ears so she sucked in a breath to hear if they were clear. She placed a hand over the boy’s mouth to quiet his sobs and the man ran past them.
Adrenaline coursed through her system as she ran the other way. Another adjustment of the little guy then she pulled at her strength to keep running. A sharp turn and her apartment building came into view. Her head whipped around trying to make sure they weren’t following her. Blood pounded in her ears so hard she could barely hear past it. One last check around the area before she zipped up the stairs in the building. She wanted to keep the kiddo safe but she also wanted to live to see another sunrise.
Only when her feet touched her carpet flooring did she take a good solid breath. A cold sweat coated her forehead making her curls stick to her skin. She locked the front door and placed the little guy on the couch before checking the windows. All of them were firmly closed so Clover managed to let go of another shaky breath as she doubled over. Oh goodness, what did I just do? She glanced over at the small kiddo on the couch and knew she’d do it all over again if it meant he lived.
She sat down on the couch and the little guy jumped into her arms. Deep down, she was thankful for the run because she managed to save the cute little man in her arms.
“Mommy?” the little boy asked while she rubbed his back.
“I…what’s your name?” Clover didn’t know what else to say but the fear and sadness in the little guy’s voice broke her heart.
“Patrick.” He sniffed and moved his hands over his face.
“What’s Mommy’s name?” she asked, and he shrugged. “What about Dad’s name?”
“Patrick.”
“So, you’re Patrick Jr, right?” Clover received a small smile at the comment.
“Yep. I don’t want to go to the alpha’s house. He’s scary.” The little boy cuddled up into her chest. Clover yanked the blanket she kept on the couch and covered Patrick, then pulled out her phone. She knew the perfect person to help her with the pup in her home.
“What’s up, pretty lady?” Tara always answered with witty comments. Tara enjoyed being cheerful and funny when answering the phone. Clover’s mind wandered back to her thoughts of being a wolf.
“I have a problem and it’s wolf related.” She glanced down at the boy, his light skin had a stark contrast to her dark complexion.
“Shit, did you imprint? Who’s the guy?” Tara asked, her excitement pulsed through the phone. Clover shouldered her cell and worked on adjusting her messy bun. She needed to keep her fingers busy so her mind could work on what just happened. It was the reason she was great at baking and even a little clay design because keeping her hands busy helped her to think through any problem.
“No guy. I, uh, just rescued a kid from being kidnapped. I’m pretty sure Mom and Dad didn’t…” Clover swallowed hard, not able to say the words. Glass shattered on Tara’s end.
“Fuck. Where are you?” All the joking vanished from her voice.
“Home. I don’t think they followed me.” But even the idea of someone possibly catching up with her had Clover glancing at the door and window.
“I’m sending a guy named Ash your way now.” Tara put her on speaker and the sound of taps on the phone came through to Clover.
“Why?” She knew the alpha, Raymand, and his second, Drake, were the go-to wolves when pack mates had issues. Maybe Ash is up in the ranks, and he’ll take Patrick to the alpha.
“We’ve been having issues with hunters kidnapping little kids,” Tara growled low. “He’ll be there in two minutes to get the kiddo. What’s his name?”
“Patrick Jr.” At his name, he sniffled again and rubbed his nose against his arm.
“No.” Tara paused and when she talked again, her voice cracked. “I’m going to hunt those bastards down and kill them myself,” she growled low through the tears.
“You knew the parents then?” Clover bit her lower lip.
“Yeah, so did you actually.” The house had been so dark and the voice did sound familiar, but Clover was too worried about Patrick to think about it.
“Who?” She wracked her mind trying to think of the familiarity in the voice.
“Barb was with us in Bio.” Tara sniffed.
“Really, I have Barb’s kid? I mean I would’ve recognized her, even in the dark.” Clover looked down at Patrick.
“She chopped off her hair and bleached it after she had her pup. I’ll come see you tomorrow and check up on you.” Tara blew her nose and the urge to cry rolled through Clover’s chest. She had been friends with Barb, but they drifted apart after college.
“Okay.” A knock on the door made Clover freeze. “Someone’s here,” she hissed over the phone. Her heart raced and she held Patrick tighter. She glanced at the window and didn’t like her odds of a successful escape through the second story opening. What the fuck am I going to do?
“Tara sent me,” a low voice came through the door and Clover relaxed.
“What color was her hair last time you saw her?” Clover whispered. A human wouldn’t be able to hear her question, the only advantage she had.
“Fuck, I think pink, or maybe red.” Sincerity filled his voice, along with hints of confusion.
“It’s Ash. Thank you, Tara.”
“Anytime, honey. See you tomorrow.” Tara ended the call and Clover tried to put Patrick on the couch so she could answer the door, but he wouldn’t let go of her.
“No don’t.” His plea broke her heart. She met his gaze and cleared off some of his tears.
“Okay, but I need to adjust you so I can get up.” Clover motioned to her hip and Patrick loosened his grip and moved to her side. After a messed up attempt, she managed to stand while keeping him in her arms. Clover glanced through the peephole. He raked a hand through his dark brown hair. His tense shoulders filled in the black jacket. With his slightly wide nose and chiseled jaw, she had to resist yanking the door open and flying into his arms. What the hell? I don’t even know him! She scolded herself for suddenly being all hormonal over a hot guy even if her body wanted to get up close and personal with him. When his dark eyes stared at the door, heat zipped down to her belly.
“What’s your name again?” Clover kept looking through the hole to see his reaction.
“Ash. I need to get the kid out of here to safety.” His voice carried through the wood. Clover kept her grip tight on Patrick before opening the door. Ash swooped in and slammed it closed. “Patrick, how are you doing, buddy?”
“I want my mommy.”
“I know buddy, Drake and the alpha are over there now.”
“I didn’t hear any heartbeats when she took me.” Patrick sniffled, and tears rolled down his face faster.
“You’re safe now.” Clover kissed his head.
“Let’s go to the alpha’s house.” He extended his arms but Patrick pulled away.
“I don’t wanna go there. He’s scary.” The pup shook his head so strongly, Clover had to adjust to keep him away from the floor.
“Maple is there,” Ash said. Clover had no idea who he spoke about, but the tension still pulsed in the little boy.
“I want to stay with her.” Patrick rubbed his head on Clover’s neck.
“She’s not a wolf, Patrick. She can’t protect you like the alpha can.” Ash nodded quickly like if he did it fast enough Clover’s mind would magically agree with him.
“Hey, I was able to get him out of the house,” Clover snapped back, not willing to be seen as weak.
“And if I had been an actual hunter once you let me in, you’d be dead and him gone.” Ash ground his teeth together and his brown eyes stared her down.
“I read your body language, asshat. When you said your name you were telling the truth.” She struggled against the urge to push him back. “Plus, I heard the sincerity when you tried to recall Tara’s hair.” Heat bloomed in her belly. “Those other men weren’t wolves with the silver knives they carried.”
“She changes her hair almost every damn month.” He threw up his hands and an image of him pressing her up against the wall flashed through her mind. What the heck?
“Exactly. And if you had tried to guess a normal color like blonde or green then I would have known you lied and I have options to get him out of here.”
“Really now?” Ash folded his arms and stared at Clover. The sexy shifter wanted to challenge Clover and for some reason, she itched to test his resolve.